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Updated: Jun 3, 2026

Spectral and Angle-Resolved Magneto-Optical Characterization of Photonic Nanostructures
Published on: November 21, 2019
Coherence-mediated laser control of exciton and trion spins in CdTe/CdMgTe quantum wells studied by the
J H Versluis1, A V Kimel, V N Gridnev
1Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University Nijmegen, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Abstract:
Two temporally non-overlapping linearly cross-polarized 140 fs laser pulses are shown to control the spin polarization in a three-level system. Simultaneous excitation of the two excited states triggers quantum beatings originating from the interference of the wavefunctions corresponding to different spin sublevels of the states. Although the beatings are not seen in the spin densities of the excited states they are clearly observed in the magneto-optical Kerr effect. An analytical expression for the description of the beatings is obtained. Experimental results are in good agreement with theoretical predictions and demonstrate the control of beatings with attosecond resolution.

