Microscopic theory of quantum optical effects in semiconductor nanostructures

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Stephan W. Koch (†)
• Subject Area: Theoretical Condensed Matter Physics
• Term: from 2002 to 2010
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 5469731

In the two fields of quantum optics and semiconductor physics much progress has been made during the last years. Advanced quantum electrodynamics theories are now very successful in the description of the interaction of atomic systems with the quantized light field where the interaction between the atoms plays only a minor role. On the other hand, semiconductor physics is usually dominated by the Coulomb interaction between the carriers. Therefore, advanced semiconductor theories focus on the correct description of the Fermionic many-body effects while the electro-magnetic interaction is limited to classical fields. The main goal of the current project is to combine the methods of quantum optics and semiconductor physics and develop a theory that includes the many-body correlation effects between the strongly interacting carriers as well as the coupling to a quantized light field. Choosing a density matrix approach, we derive the equations of motion for the coupled carrier-photon-phonon system and truncate the resulting hierarchy to the relevant expectation values. Photonic correlations are computed which are directly accessible in experimental measurements. Based on those, we plan to investigate the photon statistics of light emitted from semiconductors under coherent and incoherent excitation conditions. More particularly, the effect of the presence of coherent and incoherent exciton populations on the light emission shall be investigated and the creation of entangled photon states shall be focused on. The close comparison to experimental results within this research group will be vital to check the predictions of our theory and to stimulate the detailed research topics.

• DFG Programme: Research Units
• Subproject of: FOR 485: Quantum Optics in Semiconductor Nanostructures