Interference of stimulated electronic Raman scattering and linear absorption in coherent control

Abstract

We consider quantum interference effects in carrier and photocurrent excitation in graphene using coherent electromagnetic field components at frequencies ω and 2ω. The response of the material at the fundamental frequency ω is presented, and it is shown that one-photon absorption at ω interferes with stimulated electronic Raman scattering (combined 2ω absorption and ω emission) to result in a net contribution to the current injection. This interference occurs with a net energy absorption of ℏω and exists in addition to the previously studied interference occurring with a net energy absorption of 2ℏω under the same irradiation conditions. Due to the absence of a band gap and the possibility to block photon absorption by tuning the Fermi level, graphene is the perfect material to study this contribution. We calculate the polarization dependence of this all-optical effect for intrinsic graphene and show that the combined response of the material at both ω and 2ω leads to an anisotropic photocurrent injection, whereas the magnitude of the injection current in doped graphene, when transitions at ω are Pauli blocked, is isotropic. By considering the contribution to coherent current control from stimulated electronic Raman scattering, we find that graphene offers tunable, polarization sensitive applications. Coherent control due to the interference of stimulated electronic Raman scattering and linear absorption is relevant not only for graphene but also for narrow-gap semiconductors, topological insulators, and metals.