Two-photon absorption processes in GaAs/Al x Ga1−x As quantum wells

The two-photon absorption spectra of GaAs/AlGaAs multiple quantum well and superlattice structures have been experimentally investigated by means of the nonlinear luminescence technique in different polarization configurations. A strong excitonic effect overlapping the interband two-photon spectrum has been found and the selection rules for the excitonic transitions have shown to greatly change for different polarizations. The comparison of linear and nonlinear absorption measurements provides important information on the excited states of excitons in multiple quantum wells.