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Related Experiment Video

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Generation and Coherent Control of Pulsed Quantum Frequency Combs

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Published on: June 8, 2018

THz-driven nonlinear intersubband dynamics in quantum wells.

D Dietze¹, J Darmo, K Unterrainer

¹Photonics Institute, Vienna University of Technology 1040 Vienna, Austria. daniel.dietze@tuwien.ac.at

|November 29, 2012

Summary

We directly observed non-equilibrium intersubband dynamics in quantum wells using intense terahertz (THz) pulses. This revealed complex nonlinear optical effects beyond simple models, driven by broadband THz interactions.

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Area of Science:

Condensed Matter Physics
Quantum Optics
Materials Science

Background:

Understanding light-matter interactions in quantum well structures is crucial for advanced optoelectronic devices.
Standard models often simplify interactions to two-level systems, potentially missing complex dynamics in realistic scenarios.
Modulation-doped multiple quantum wells offer a platform for exploring unique electronic and optical properties.

Purpose of the Study:

To directly observe and characterize non-equilibrium intersubband dynamics in a quantum well system.
To investigate nonlinear optical effects induced by intense, broadband terahertz (THz) pulses.
To explore phenomena extending beyond the conventional two-level approximation of light-matter interaction.

Main Methods:

Utilized intense single-cycle terahertz (THz) pulses with a multiple octave spanning bandwidth.
Employed transmission spectroscopy to monitor changes in the quantum well sample.
Analyzed the dependence of spectra on incident THz field strength to identify nonlinear effects.

Main Results:

Demonstrated direct observation of non-equilibrium intersubband dynamics.
Observed significant nonlinear optical effects, including efficient coherent population transfer.
Showcased THz-induced undressing of collective excitations and the THz Stark effect due to phase-locked coupling of intersubband transitions.

Conclusions:

Intense, broadband THz pulses can induce complex, non-equilibrium dynamics in quantum wells.
The observed phenomena highlight the limitations of the two-level model for strong-field interactions.
This work opens avenues for controlling quantum states and exploring novel light-matter interactions in nanostructures.