Domain theory of self-induced transparency in a semiconductor superlattice

Abstract

A self-consistent description of the electrodynamics of a semiconductor superlattice interacting with electromagnetic field of arbitrary frequency and strength is presented. Central to the present formalism is a recasting of the proper boundary conditions for the Maxwell problem that enables a speedy and straightforward solution for the distribution of the internal field in the active superlattice medium. On application of the self-consistent approach we found a self-induced transparency region in the superlattice layer which takes the form of a domain. The propagation and evolution of such a domain, which can contain a coherent train of Bloch oscillations, dominate the electron dynamics of the superlattice. The important properties of the self-induced transparency domain are also discussed here.