Semiconductor Bloch equations for classical and quantum fields

摘要

For several decades, the optical response of semiconductors has been the subject of intense experimental and theoretical investigations. Consequently, many basic features are well understood by now, and some properties are even exploited in commercial devices such as light-emitting diodes, semiconductor laser, optical switches, etc. Nevertheless, the field of semiconductor optics, both in experiments and theory, is very active and develops rapidly. It benefits from advances in computer capabilities and in semiconductor crystal growth. The increasing computer capacity allows more profound, accurate, and realistic modeling of the semiconductor structures. At the same time, the advances in crystal growth technology provide us with improved samples which are almost disorder-less already today. In particular, the growth of quantum wells with narrower exciton linewidths and quantum dots with larger dipole moments and reduced dephasing rates may be achieved, which is certain to make even quantum-optical features increasingly apparent and unavoidable. All these research efforts eventually focus on producing devices utilizing quantum-mechanical principles. One of the main objectives endeavors to develop quantum logic components for building blocks of quantum computers. Similar expanding possibilities can be expected, e.g., for accuracy of detection, device efficiency, and component design in general. Considering all of this, we are almost guaranteed to see new astonishing advancements; in this bright future, semiconductor optics and particularly semiconductor cavity QED research will most likely be pre-eminent elements.