POLARIZATION OF HOT PHOTOLUMINESCENCE IN GAAS ALAS SUPERLATTICES/

The polarization characteristics of hot photoluminescence in GaAs/AlAs superlattices are investigated experimentally and theoretically. It i s shown that the formation of an electronic miniband in the superlatti ce substantially changes the polarization characteristics of the photo luminescence. As a result of the quasi-three-dimensional character of the motion of hot electrons in the superlattice, the polarization depe nds on the ratio of the electron kinetic energies in the plane of the superlattice and along the axis of the superlattice. (C) 1996 American Institute of Physics.