Abstract
We discuss time-resolved experiments that study photo-excited e-h pairs in GaAs quantum wells via their THz response. Resonant generation of excitons leads to characteristic THz spectra dominated by 1s-2p intra-excitonic transitions, which provide a direct density gauge. Fundamental differences between the intra-excitonic and free-carrier conductivity enable quantitative analysis of multicomponent e-h gases. We examine exciton ionization dynamics, where the exciton fraction approaches a quasi-equilibrium value in agreement with the Saha equation. A Saha model that takes into account thermal excitation of both heavy- and light-hole pairs is derived. Such experiments identify non-equilibrium phases of e-h gases and their underlying quasi-particle densities and dynamics.
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Kaindl, R.A., Carnahan, M.A., Hägele, D., Chemla, D.S. (2008). Ultrafast THz Spectroscopy of Excitons in Multi-Component Carrier Gases. In: Haug, R. (eds) Advances in Solid State Physics. Advances in Solid State Physics, vol 47. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-74325-5_16
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-74325-5_16
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