Current induced drag of photons in GaAs/AlGaAs quantum wells

The effect of current drag of photons is experimentally investigated in the mid-infrared spectral range corresponded to the intersubband optical electron transitions in GaAs/AlGaAs quantum wells at room temperature for the first time. The optical electron transitions between the first and second electron subbands in quantum wells are revealed in light absorption spectra in the mid-infrared range. The dependences of the change in the refractive index on the lateral current in quantum wells are obtained for different light polarizations. A substantial spectral dependence of the effect is observed for p -polarized radiation. • A change in the refractive index of quantum wells with electric current is observed. • The phenomenon is observed in the spectral range of intersubband carrier transitions. • The effect is linear in the light wavevector and the lateral current. • Substantial spectral dependence of the effect is observed for p -polarized radiation.