Coherent all-optical polarization switching based on exciton–exciton interactions in quantum wells

A coherent all-optical nonlinear polarization switch based on exciton–exciton correlations is demonstrated in a multiple-quantum-well semiconductor structure. A contrast ratio of 8:1 and a relaxation time of less than a picosecond are reported at 80 K using only ten wells. The results are compared t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of applied physics 2001-08, Vol.90 (3), p.1077-1081
Main Authors: Gansen, Eric J., Jarasiunas, K., Hawkins, Scot A., Stevens, Martin J., Smirl, Arthur L.
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:A coherent all-optical nonlinear polarization switch based on exciton–exciton correlations is demonstrated in a multiple-quantum-well semiconductor structure. A contrast ratio of 8:1 and a relaxation time of less than a picosecond are reported at 80 K using only ten wells. The results are compared to a simple phenomenological model to demonstrate that many-body effects are solely responsible for the switching action and that the turn-on and turn-off times are determined by the dephasing time.
ISSN:0021-8979
1089-7550
DOI:10.1063/1.1383015