Abstract

We propose a simple quantum system, namely, a nested quantum-well structure, which is able to generate a train of half-cycle pulses of a few-femtosecond duration when driven by a static electric field. We theoretically investigate the emission of such a structure and its dependence on the parameters of the quantum wells. It is shown that the production of a regular output pulse train with tunable properties and the pulse repetition frequencies of tens of terahertz is possible in certain parameter ranges. We expect the suggested structure can be used as an ultra-compact source of subcycle pulses in the optical range.

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Excitation and control of level populations in rectangular quantum wells by unipolar half-cycle attosecond pulses

Rostislav Arkhipov, Pavel Belov, Anton Pakhomov, Mikhail Arkhipov, and Nikolay Rosanov
J. Opt. Soc. Am. B 41(1) 285-295 (2024)

Generation of unipolar half-cycle pulses via unusual reflection of a single-cycle pulse from an optically thin metallic or dielectric layer

M. V. Arkhipov, R. M. Arkhipov, A. V. Pakhomov, I. V. Babushkin, A. Demircan, U. Morgner, and N. N. Rosanov
Opt. Lett. 42(11) 2189-2192 (2017)

Sub-10 fs unipolar pulses of a tailored waveshape from a multilevel resonant medium

Anton Pakhomov, Nikolay Rosanov, Mikhail Arkhipov, and Rostislav Arkhipov
Opt. Lett. 48(24) 6504-6507 (2023)

Quasi-half-cycle terahertz pulse generation via optical rectification in quantum wells using shaped optical pulses

D. S. Citrin
Opt. Express 1(12) 376-384 (1997)

High-repetition-rate pulse generation via self-sustaining cross-gain modulation in a semiconductor-based laser

Sergey Smirnov, Boris Nyushkov, Aleksey Ivanenko, and Anastasia Bednyakova
Opt. Lett. 48(23) 6084-6087 (2023)