Anisotropic Optical Matrix Elements in Quantum Wells with Various Substrate Orientations

Abstract
Optical matrix elements and in-plane hole effective masses in quantum wells (QWs) are investigated theoretically as functions of substrate orientation. Calculations are performed for GaAs QWs which orient to an arbitrary direction in a (11̄0) plane. It is found that large optical anisotropy appears in (211) QWs as well as in (110) QWs. The advantages of the (211) QWs for low-threshold lasers are discussed.