A new method for study of coherent exciton spin dynamics in GaAs quantum wells

Summary form only given. Ultrafast dephasing of excitons in semiconductor quantum wells is important because it presents insight into fundamental interactions and possible coherent control of optical properties. Standard measurement techniques include time- and frequency-domain four-wave mixing, resonant Rayleigh scattering, and Faraday rotation. We report on a new time-resolved technique based on reflective probing of pump-induced transient linear birefringence. This has various advantages, including sensitivity, applicability to opaque as-grown samples, ease of implementation, and freedom from superimposed signals.