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Seminars

Optical Properties of Semiconductors

Speaker Prof. Peter Y. Yu
Affiliation Department of Physics, University of California, USA
Date November 17, 2009 (Tue)
Time 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Venue Room 522, 5/F, Chong Yuet Ming Physics Building, HKU

Abstract:

The optical properties of semiconductors play an important role in devices such as light emitting diodes, lasers, solar cells etc. These devices are significant for renewable energy generation and household energy consumption. A microscopic theory of the optical response function of semiconductors based on their electronic energy band will be developed. Coulomb attraction between electron and hole pairs is found to modify the optical properties. In a similar manner confinement of electrons and holes in low-dimensional structures are found to enhance the performance of optical devices like semiconductor lasers. The coupling between the electromagnetic waves with the polarization wave associated with electron-hole pairs in semiconductors leads to the formation of coupled waves known as polaritons.

 

Coffee and tea will be served 20 minutes prior to the seminar.