Electronic Coherence Effects in Absorption Saturation Experiments

Abstract

In pump-probe experiments with femtosecond pulses, a coherent peak is found in the absorption saturation for short pulse delays. This coherent peak is analysed within a density matrix model, including a realistic multi-valence band structure and the optical matrix elements to leading order. Dissipative processes are treated in a relaxation time approximation. The parameters of the model are determined by comparison to experimental results.