Abstract

Quantum interference current (QUIC) is the coherent control of the magnitude and direction of photo-generated current in semiconductor structures.^1–3 Current directionality results from the fact that the two pairs of initial and final states involved in single- and two-photon transitions are degenerate hut contain different parity. A theoretical calculation of the QUIC current density tensor J_ijkl, in bulk semiconductors was given by Atanasov et al³ for GaAs using a rigorous numerical approach using the full band structure of GaAs within the local density approximation (LDA). Here, a simple three parabolic band model (see Figure 1) is presented that analytically describes the material scaling and polarization dependence of QUIC in zinc-blende semiconductors. It is important to note that the consideration of two valence bands plays a critical role in determining the correct polarization dependence.

© 1999 Optical Society of America