Momentum alignment and spin orientation of photoexcited electrons in quantum wells

Abstract

The momentum and spin distribution functions for electrons excited by polarized light incident normally to the heterostructure plane are determined for a quantum well with infinitely high walls. It is shown that for a low ratio of the light and heavy hole masses, an anomalously rapid growth of momentum alignment and a decrease of electron spin orientation occur with increase of their energy of motion in the plane of the well. The dependences on the exciting photon energy of the plane and circular polarizations of the hot luminescence in the pumping direction at it shortwave edge are found.