Abstract

We investigate theoretically how conduction-band electrons in bulk GaAs can be manipulated by strong electric fields of ultrashort few-cycle pulses. As electrons are optically excited, specifically tailored waveforms enable ultrafast control over conduction-band population and polarization response. Such waveforms can be realized experimentally through waveform synthesis [1], and they are capable of manipulating electron dynamics in a time frame smaller than typical dephasing rates. The observed population dynamics are very sensitive to the electric field, indicating their nonperturbative nature, similar to that of carrier-wave Rabi flopping [2].

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