Beyond the effective mass approximation: predictive theory of the nonlinear optical response of conduction electrons

We present an experimental and computational study of the nonlinear optical response of conduction electrons to intense terahertz (THz) electric field. Our observations (saturable absorption and an amplitude-dependent group refractive index) can be understood on the qualitative level as the breakdow...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inarXiv.org
Main Authors Yu, Shukai, Heffernan, Kate H, Talbayev, Diyar
Format Paper Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Ithaca Cornell University Library, arXiv.org 28.09.2016
Subjects
Approximation
Conduction electrons
Electric fields
Free electrons
Mathematical models
Metamaterials
Nonlinear response
Nonlinearity
Physics - Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics
Physics - Optics
Plasmonics
Refractivity
Temperature
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Summary:We present an experimental and computational study of the nonlinear optical response of conduction electrons to intense terahertz (THz) electric field. Our observations (saturable absorption and an amplitude-dependent group refractive index) can be understood on the qualitative level as the breakdown of the effective mass approximation. However, a predictive theoretical description of the nonlinearity has been missing. We propose a model based on the semiclassical electron dynamics, a realistic band structure, and the free electron Drude parameters to accurately calculate the experimental observables in InSb. Our results open a path to predictive modeling of the conduction-electron optical nonlinearity in semiconductors, metamaterials, as well as high-field effects in THz plasmonics.
ISSN:2331-8422
DOI:10.48550/arxiv.1609.08773