Magneto-Reflection in CdMnTe/CdTe Multiple Quantum Wells

Abstract

Magnetic Mn⁺⁺ ions substituting host atoms in A₂B₆ compound crystals, as in CdMnTe, are known to enhance an external magnetic field acting on electron and hole spins. This results in the giant Faraday rotation of the transmitted wave polarisation plane [1]. Unfortunately, light transmission at the exciton lines is strongly reduced. Reflection measurements including the Kerr effect have been recently performed in quantum-well structures in the Faraday geometry with a constant magnetic field normal to the layer plane [2]. Quite different behaviour of excitons is expected in quantum wells in the case of in-plane orientation of the constant magnetic field because the rotational symmetry is broken due to the quantum size effects. Photoluminescence excitation spectroscopy data have been reported in this case in the Voigt geometry [3, 4].