Slow Light Using Excitonic Population Pulsation in Semiconductor Quantum Wells
Abstract
We theoretically model and successfully explain the experimental data [1] on slow light using the excitonic population pulsation in semiconductor quantum wells. In a two-level system, beating between a resonant pump and a signal can cause population pulsation. The pulsation can induce a rapid change in the refractive index within a spectral width determined by the radiative recombination, which results in a reduced group velocity. In our model, the spin-dependent polarization selection rules for the optical transition and the excitation-induced dephasing are taken into account. Our theory explains very well the experimental absorbance and refractive index spectra and their polarization dependence. A theoretical value for the slowdown factor of 31,300 is obtained and agrees well with the experimental value. [1] P. C. Ku, P. Palinginis, T. Li, F. G. Sedgwick, S. W. Chang, H. Wang, C. J. Chang-Hasnain and S. L. Chuang, (submitted).
- Publication:
-
APS March Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- March 2004
- Bibcode:
- 2004APS..MARJ28006C