Optical modulation of low-dimensional semiconductor structures by surface acoustic waves

• Applicant: Dr. Paulo V. Santos
• Subject Area: Experimental Condensed Matter Physics
• Term: from 2000 to 2004
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 5249806

This project aims at the investigation of the interaction between high-frequency surface acoustic waves (SAWs) and low-dimensional semiconductos structures. The wavelengths (comparable to the carrier diffusion lengths) and time periods (comparable to the typical lifetime of photogenerated carriers) of these high-frequency SAWs are expected to lead to new interesting physical phenomena in quantum wells, quantum wires and quantum dots. These studies will be performed using spectroscopic techniques with high lateral resolution (smaller than 1µm) and with time resolution below the SAW oscillation period (0.5 to 10 ns). In this way, we will be able to locally probe the dynamic aspects of the interaction between SAWs and the band structure. The new functionalities introduced by the SAW-induced dynamic modulation and by the control of the transport as well as of the light propagation properties in low-dimensional semiconductors are expected to form the basis for future applications in novel SAW-based acoustooptical and electrooptical devices.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants