Abstract

Optical excitation of two states which are coupled via a common ground state leads to well-known quantum beats. If a transition dipole moment exists between the two excited states, the quantum beats are accompanied by coherent charge oscillations [1]. So far, such charge oscillations have been observed along the growth direction of different quantum well (QW) samples [1]. Here we report the first observation of coherent charge oscillations in the plane of a QW. Our observations might prove useful for novel designs of far-infrared detectors and emitters.

© 2011 IEEE