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Optics Express

Optics Express

  • Editor: C. Martijn de Sterke
  • Vol. 17, Iss. 12 — Jun. 8, 2009
  • pp: 9620–9629

Optics InfoBase > Optics Express > Volume 17 > Issue 12 > Page 9620

Terahertz pulse induced intervalley scattering in photoexcited GaAs

F. H. Su, F. Blanchard, G. Sharma, L. Razzari, A. Ayesheshim, T. L. Cocker, L. V. Titova, T. Ozaki, J.-C. Kieffer, R. Morandotti, M. Reid, and F. A. Hegmann  »View Author Affiliations


Optics Express, Vol. 17, Issue 12, pp. 9620-9629 (2009)
http://dx.doi.org/10.1364/OE.17.009620


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Abstract

Nonlinear transient absorption bleaching of intense few-cycle terahertz (THz) pulses is observed in photoexcited GaAs using optical-pump – THz-probe techniques. A simple model of the electron transport dynamics shows that the observed nonlinear response is due to TH-zelectric-field-induced intervalley scattering over sub-picosecond time scales as well as an increase in the intravalley scattering rate attributed to carrier heating. Furthermore, the nonlinear nature of the THz pulse transmission at high peak fields leads to a measured terahertz conductivity in the photoexcited GaAs that deviates significantly from the Drude behavior observed at low THz fields, emphasizing the need to explore nonlinear THz pulse interactions with materials in the time domain.

© 2009 Optical Society of America

OCIS Codes
(300.6500) Spectroscopy : Spectroscopy, time-resolved
(320.7110) Ultrafast optics : Ultrafast nonlinear optics
(320.7130) Ultrafast optics : Ultrafast processes in condensed matter, including semiconductors
(300.6495) Spectroscopy : Spectroscopy, teraherz

ToC Category:
Spectroscopy

History
Original Manuscript: April 22, 2009
Revised Manuscript: May 19, 2009
Manuscript Accepted: May 19, 2009
Published: May 22, 2009

Citation
F. H. Su, F. Blanchard, G. Sharma, L. Razzari, A. Ayesheshim, T. L. Cocker, L. V. Titova, T. Ozaki, J.-C. Kieffer, R. Morandotti, M. Reid, and F. A. Hegmann, "Terahertz pulse induced intervalley scattering in photoexcited GaAs," Opt. Express 17, 9620-9629 (2009)
http://www.opticsinfobase.org/oe/abstract.cfm?URI=oe-17-12-9620


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