Analytical technique for determining the polarization dependence of optical matrix elements in quantum wires with band-coupling effects

We present an analytical technique for determining polarization-dependent optical transition matrix elements in quantum wires which rigorously incorporates the effects of band coupling. Using this technique, we examine the polarization anisotropy of the two lowest energy optical transitions in a GaAs quantum wire. Contrary to assumptions employed in previous studies, we show that the valence states involved in these transitions are a strong admixture of light and heavy hole character. The lowest energy transition is found to be four times stronger for electric fields oriented parallel to the wire than for the perpendicular orientation. In contrast, the next highest transition does not interact with optical waves polarized along the wire axis. We discuss sources of error which arise in simpler one-band models of this phenomenon in addition to the neglect of band coupling and show that the coupled band model presented here is essential for predicting these effects

Quantitative measurement of the composition of Al_xGa_(1−x)As heterostructures using a simple backscattered electron detector

We describe a technique for the quantitative measurement of composition in Al_xGa_(1−x)As heterostructures using a simple solid‐state backscattered electron detector in a scanning electron microscope. Calibration data are presented and are shown to be consistent with the Castaing [Adv. Electron. Electron Phys. 13, 317 (1960)] theory. The technique is applied to image representative Al_xGa_(1−x)As heterostructures including a graded index separate confinement heterostructure (GRINSCH) laser structure

Vapor phase synthesis of crystalline nanometer-scale GaAs clusters

We report the synthesis of crystalline nanometer-scale GaAs clusters in the 5-10 nm size regime. The clusters are formed by the homogeneous nucleation of a nonequilibrium vapor created by the explosive vaporization of a bulk GaAs sample in an inert atmosphere. High resolution electron microscopy and diffraction show that the clusters have zincblende crystal structure and are faceted. Optical measurements on the particles are suggestive of quantum confinement effects

Nanometer-scale GaAs clusters from organometallic precursors

We report the synthesis of crystalline nanometer-scale GaAs clusters by homogeneous vapor-phase nucleation from organometallic precursors. Cluster synthesis is performed in a hot wall organometallic vapor-phase epitaxy reactor at atmospheric pressure. High resolution transmission electron microscopy studies reveal that the aerosol produced is composed of highly faceted single crystal GaAs particles in the 10–20 nm range. The influence of growth temperature and reactant concentration on cluster morphology is discussed

Nanometer scale wire structures fabricated by diffusion-induced selective disordering of a GaAs(AlGaAs) quantum well

A shallow zinc diffusion technique is used to selectively disorder a GaAs quantum well creating nanometer scale wire structures. Spectrally resolved cathodoluminescence images of the structures are presented as well as local spectra of cathodoluminescence emission from the structures. Blue shifting of the luminescence from the wire structures is observed

Circular dichroism in non-chiral metal halide perovskites

We demonstrate theoretically that non-chiral perovskite layers can exhibit circular dichroism (CD) in the absence of a magnetic field and without chiral activation by chiral molecules. The effect is shown to be due to splitting of helical excitonic states which can form in structures of orthorhombic or lower symmetry that exhibit Rashba spin effects. The selective coupling of these helical exciton states to helical light is shown to give rise to circular dichroism. Polarization dependent absorption is shown to occur due to the combined effect of Rashba splitting, in-plane symmetry breaking, and the effect of the exciton momentum on its fine structure, which takes the form of Zeeman splitting in an effective magnetic field. This phenomenon, which can be considered as a manifestation of extrinsic chirality, results in significant CD with an anisotropy factor of up to 30% in orthorhombic perovskite layers under off-normal, top illumination conditions, raising the possibility of its observation in non-chiral perovskite structures

Circular dichroism in non-chiral metal halide perovskites

We demonstrate theoretically that non-chiral perovskite layers can exhibit circular dichroism (CD) in the absence of a magnetic field and without chiral activation by chiral molecules. The effect is shown to be due to splitting of helical excitonic states which can form in structures of orthorhombic or lower symmetry that exhibit Rashba spin effects. The selective coupling of these helical exciton states to helical light is shown to give rise to circular dichroism. Polarization dependent absorption is shown to occur due to the combined effect of Rashba splitting, in-plane symmetry breaking, and the effect of the exciton momentum on its fine structure, which takes the form of Zeeman splitting in an effective magnetic field. We calculate significant CD with an anisotropy factor of up to 30% in orthorhombic perovskite layers under off-normal top illumination conditions, raising the possibility of its observation in non-chiral perovskite structures.Comment: 26 pages, 5 figures, 1 table. Jul5 revision, clarified description after Eq. 11, added ref. Jul 13 revision, typo corrections; added ref