The effects of heavy- and light-hole mixing on the optical processes in quantum well systems

Two different pictures of the heavy hole and light hole mixing in quantum well systems are reviewed with emphasis on their impact on the optical spectra in quasi-two-dimensional systems. By summarizing some other authors´ research work, such as the selection rules for the two-dimensional excitonic optical transition, the reason why the usually dipole-forbidden Frohlich Raman scattering becomes allowed in quantum wells, the explanation for the degree of polarization in the linearly polarized hot-electron luminescence in quantum wells, and the enhanced quantum well Pockels effect, it is shown that the heavy- and light-hole mixing does play a crucial role in leading to several optical transitions which are unavailable in bulk materials