Dephasing of interacting σ+ and σ− excitons in a ZnSe single quantum well

Abstract We investigate coherences between σ+ and σ− exciton states in a 10 nm thick ZnSe/ZnMgSe single quantum well by spectrally resolved three‐pulse degenerate four‐wave mixing using circularly polarized 100 fs pulses. Intensity dependent measurements are performed to study the influence of exciton–exciton scattering on their dephasing rates. The experiments reveal nearly equal zero‐density dephasing rates for coherences between σ+ and σ− heavy‐ and/or light‐hole exciton states as compared to the dephasing rate of the interband coherence between these states and the ground state. The measurements also demonstrate that exciton‐exciton scattering destroys the coherence between heavy‐ and light‐hole excitons about three times more effectively than the coherence between σ+ and σ− heavy‐hole excitons. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)