Nonlinear optical conductivity of two-dimensional semiconductors with Rashba spin-orbit coupling in terahertz regime

We reveal that two-dimensional semiconductors with Rashba spin-orbit interaction (R2DG) exhibit exceptionally strong nonlinear optical response (NOR) in the terahertz frequency regime. The spin-split of the parabolic energy band in R2DG allows strong multiple-photon process to occur via inter-subband mechanism. We show sharp multiple photon edges in the nonlinear conductivity. The edges correspond to the cut-off effect produced by the multiple-photon process. For Rashba coupling parameter of λ <Subscript> R </Subscript> ≈ 10<Superscript>−10</Superscript> eV m, electric field strength in the order of only 10<Superscript>2</Superscript> V/cm is required for the NOR to dominate over the linear response. Furthermore, the roles of the parabolic ‘free electron’ term H <Subscript>0</Subscript> and the linear Rashba term H <Subscript> R </Subscript> on NOR of R2DG are also investigated. Although the NOR is made possible due to the presence of a finite H <Subscript> R </Subscript>, H <Subscript>0</Subscript> does play an important role on the NOR especially in high temperature regime. H <Subscript>0</Subscript> has rendered R2DG a strong optical nonlinearity at elevated temperature which is not found in a purely linear system such as graphene. The results suggest the possibilities of Rashba spintronic system in the application of nonlinear terahertz devices. Copyright EDP Sciences, SIF, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2014