Transient and steady-state properties of asymmetric semiconductor quantum wells at telecom wavelength bands

Abstract

The transient and steady-state dispersion and absorption properties of a three-subband asymmetric semiconductor quantum well system are investigated. In the steady-state regime, it is shown that by increasing the strength of Fano-interference as well as enhancement of energy splitting of two excited states the slope of dispersion changes from negative to positive which is corresponding to a switch between superluminal to subluminal light propagation. At the same time, the probe absorption reduces at telecommunication wavelength λ = 1550 nm. The influence of incoherent pumping fields on time-dependent susceptibility is then discussed. It is found that due to more transfer of population to the upper levels, increasing the rate of incoherent pump field leads to the reduction of probe absorption. In addition, it is realized that incoherent pumping has a major role in converting fast to slow propagation of light at long wavelength. We also introduce an extra controllability for the light pulse to be slow downed at Telecom wavelength just through the quantum interference arising from incoherent pumping fields. The obtained results may be practical in telecommunication applications.