χ⁽³⁾ analysis of all-optical polarization switching in semiconductor quantum wells

A theoretical and experimental analysis of an all-optical polarization switching technique that has been demonstrated recently is presented. The analysis is restricted to the lowest-order nonlinear regime (χ⁽³⁾ regime). The theory allows for a detailed analysis of the switching action, which is based on near-resonant optical excitation of spin-polarized excitons. The theoretical results are found to be in good agreement with experimental data. The respective contributions of phase-space blocking and various many-particle interaction and correlation terms to the switching process are identified and studied as function of experimentally adjustable parameters. The resulting parametric dependence of the switching action is used as a basis for proposals for further optimization of the device.