Coherent control of multisubband wavepackets with terahertz (Thz) pulses

We perform numerical calculations to study coherent control of multisubband wavepackets by means of pairs of subpicosecond terahertz laser pulses in s uitably designed quantum well structures. We employ a single-particle, effe ctive-mass model of the semiconductor structures. Our purpose is to explore the applicability of the ideas of coherent control and wavepacket interfer ometry to a new physical system (multisubband wavepackets in doped semicond uctor quantum wells) and in a new frequency range (terahertz radiation). Si milar ideas have been successfully demonstrated in recent years in atomic, molecular, and excitonic systems, in the optical or near-infrared spectrum. We analyze in detail four quantum well structures, with emphasis on the wa vepacket dynamics and interference, and demonstrate numerically the possibi lity of measurable coherent control of the population of the excited electr ons. These wavepacket-interference effects could be used to study decoheren ce times in doped semiconductor structures. Also, due to the sensitivity of the interference effects to the potential energy, the scheme could be empl oyed to detect defects in the sample. The article also presents a study to determine whether an absorption experiment in a quantum well can be used to determine the shape of a subcycle laser pulse. We show that it is difficul t to distinguish pulses with a Gaussian envelope of the vector potential fr om pulses in which the electric field envelope is Gaussian. (C) 1999 Americ an Institute of Physics. [S0021-9606(99)00118-X].