Terahertz Photoelectric Phenomena in Semiconductor Weyl and Kane Fermion Systems

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Sergey Ganichev
• Subject Area: Experimental Condensed Matter Physics
• Term: since 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 521083032

The project aims to explore the high-frequency electron transport induced by infrared/terahertz radiation in semiconductor Weyl and Kane fermion systems, which should uncover novel physical phenomena and open up opportunities to study the charge and spin transport in these systems. The project is focused on the study of photocurrent and photoconductivity in bulk Te and CdHgTe materials. As a result, we should get insight into the microscopic mechanisms of THz field-induced phenomena and enable us to develop corresponding microscopic and phenomenological theories. Particular attention will be paid to the interplay of the photogalvanic and photon drag effects as well as to magnetooptoelectronic phenomena, such as e.g. cyclotron resonance-induced photocurrents and quantum magneto-ratchet effect. We expect that the topological relativistic properties of the Weyl and Kane quasiparticles combined with the strong optical response of semiconductor systems will allow us to obtain an enhanced photoelectric response to infrared/terahertz radiation. The planned study serves the probing of high-frequency electron transport in these systems, the topology and symmetry of quantum materials, and the energy spectrum of these quasiparticles. This will be used for characterizing Weyl and Kane fermion systems. Our investigations should provide the scientific basis for novel terahertz/microwave devices.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Co-Investigator: Professor Dr. Dieter Weiss