Three-photon absorption spectra of zinc blende semiconductors: theory and experiment

We calculate the spectrum of three-photon absorption (3PA) in zinc blende semiconductors using Kane\u27s four-band model. We apply this to ZnSe and measure the 3PA spectrum using ferasecond pulses, obtaining excellent agreement. The spectrum shows the apparent onset of 3PA from the split-off band and also shows quantum interference between the several possible evolution pathways when exciting carriers from valence to conduction band. (C) 2008 Optical Society of Americ