Direct observation of free-exciton thermalization in quantum-well structures

M. Umlauff, J. Hoffmann, H. Kalt, W. Langbein, J. M. Hvam, M. Scholl, J. Söllner, M. Heuken, B. Jobst, and D. Hommel
Phys. Rev. B 57, 1390 – Published 15 January 1998
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Abstract

We report on a direct observation of free-exciton thermalization in quantum-well structures. A narrow energy distribution of free 1s excitons is created in ZnSe-based quantum wells by emission of one LO phonon after optical excitation of the continuum states with picosecond laser pulses. The subsequent relaxation dynamics within the 1s-exciton dispersion is directly monitored by time-resolved studies of the phonon-assisted photoluminescence. It is demonstrated that the free-exciton distribution remains nonthermal for some 100 ps. The observed dynamics is in reasonable agreement with numerical results of a rate-equation model which accounts for the relevant exciton-phonon coupling mechanisms.

  • Received 23 September 1997

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.57.1390

©1998 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

M. Umlauff, J. Hoffmann, and H. Kalt

  • Institut für Angewandte Physik, Universität Karlsruhe, D-76128 Karlsruhe, Germany

W. Langbein and J. M. Hvam

  • Mikroelektronik Centret, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Lyngby, Denmark

M. Scholl, J. Söllner, and M. Heuken

  • Institut für Halbleitertechnik, RWTH Aachen, D-52074 Aachen, Germany

B. Jobst and D. Hommel

  • Institut für Festkörperphysik, Universität Bremen, D-28334 Bremen, Germany

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Issue

Vol. 57, Iss. 3 — 15 January 1998

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