Nonlinear optical properties of quantum well structures in the presence of intense infared lasers

We theoretically and experimentally investigate the non-linear optical properties of undoped and n-doped quantum wells (QW's) in the presence of intense infrared lasers. These lasers are polarized along the QW growth directions and near resonance with the transitions between the conduction subbands. In n-doped QW's by inclusion of electronelectron scattering and dynamic screening we study for the first time: (i) the effects of the frequencies and intensities of the infrared fields on the dephasing rates associated with the intersubband transitions, (ii) the generation of various nonlinear gain processes, and (iii) coherent and optical processes such as coherent population trapping, dark line and laser induced transparency effects. In undoped QW's by presenting a consistent theory we show how one can use infrared coupling of the conduction subbands of a QW to coherently manipulate absorption and emission spectra of excitons. We discuss these effects in.terms of multi-photon coupling of the excitons or electrons, quantum interferences, and by presenting a new model to treat laser-matter interaction. Following these developments we put some of our own results to test by observing the emission dynamics of excitons in the presence of an intense CO2 laser. We report the first observations of infrared enhancement of the effective non-radiative decay rates of excitons and the effects of multi-level transition processes in the emission of QW's. This thesis also includes an extensive analysis of nonlinear effects in atomic systems. While the primary motivation for this analysis was to understand and design nonlinear optics of QW's, in the process some original contributions were made to the study of nonlinear optics of atomic systems.Science, Faculty ofPhysics and Astronomy, Department ofGraduat