Absorption coefficient of quantum well

[equation M]

we know that the quantum well absorption coefficient is calculated by summing over the electron-heavy hole and electron-light hole transitions:


α_{w}(E) = \sum_{n}α_{e_{n}-hh_{n}}(E) + \sum_{n}α_{e_{n}-lh_{n}}(E)

where n is the n^{th} transistion.

but when the photon flux is incident on the QW, the absorption spectrum becomes continuous rather than discrete as all the photons above a certain level of energy will be absorbed in the well. Am I right?

please help me ... i am novice in this field.

 

[azntoon]

Yes, you are correct. When the photon flux is incident on the quantum well, the absorption spectrum becomes a continuous curve rather than discrete energy levels due to the fact that all photons above a certain energy level will be absorbed in the well. It is important to note that the absorption coefficient (α_w) still takes into account the electron-heavy hole and electron-light hole transitions, but the absorption takes place at an energy range instead of discrete energy levels.