Abstract

The detailed dynamics of resonantly excited nonthermal excitons in quantum wells has been investigated recently [1,2]. Various fit parameters were necessary to describe the time evolution of the heavy-hole exciton luminescence. Comparable and therefore not easily distinguishable rates for the radiative recombination, the spin relaxation, and the momentum relaxation of excitons were obtained. In particular, the flip of the spin of optically active (J=±1) into optically inactive (J=±2), ”dark” excitons plays an important role in the analysis since these dark excitons serve as a huge, invisible reservoir in the overall dynamics.

© 1995 Optical Society of America