Net coherent optical gain in strongly pumped semiconductor microcavities
We study the subpicosecond gain dynamics in a high-finesse semiconductor microcavity containing quantum wells by means of degenerate pump-probe spectroscopy. Tuning the optical excitation in resonance with both the exciton and the cavity modes, at high pump fields the probe pulses are strongly amplified near the energy of the empty-cavity mode. At zero probe delay, integration of the probe spectrum yields a net gain of several percents. The coherent nature of the gain is demonstrated by its oscillatory behavior versus probe delay. A dynamical Maxwell-Bloch model for semiconductors reproduce well the experimental findings and gives insight into the microscopic origin of the coherent gain.
WOS:000086440500026
2000
178
1
139
143
Swiss Fed Inst Technol, Dept Phys, EPFL, PH Ecublens, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland. Univ Cagliari, Dipartimento Fis, I-09042 Monserrato, CA, Italy. Univ Cagliari, INFM, I-09042 Monserrato, CA, Italy. Quochi, F, Swiss Fed Inst Technol, Dept Phys, EPFL, PH Ecublens, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.
ISI Document Delivery No.: 303TG
Cited Reference Count: 8
Cited References:
CARMICHAEL HJ, 1994, CAVITY QUANTUM ELECT, P381
HAUG H, 1990, QUANTUM THEORY OPTIC
HEBERLE AP, 1995, PHYS REV LETT, V75, P2598
LIKFORMAN JP, 1997, PHYS REV LETT, V79, P3716
MEYSTRE P, 1990, ELEMENTS QUANTUM OPT, P238
MYSYROWICZ A, 1986, PHYS REV LETT, V56, P2748
QUOCHI F, 1998, PHYS REV LETT, V80, P4733
QUOCHI F, 1999, PHYS REV B, V59, P15594
REVIEWED