Fiber optic based system for polarization sensitive spectroscopy of semiconductor quantum structures

We describe an optical fiber based setup for performing polarization resolved magneto-optical spectroscopy measurements under low temperatures (similar to 4 K) and high magnetic fields (similar to 8 T). The measurements are performed in a windowless helium Dewar. Circularly polarized light is produced inside the Dewar by inserting the polarizing elements between the fiber end and the sample. Photoconductivity spectra of a GaAs/AlGaAs multiquantum-well sample have been measured over the photon energy range of 1.5-1.7 eV in left and right circularly polarized light under crossed magnetic and electric fields. It is shown that reversing the direction of magnetic field produces the same spectral changes as caused by changing the direction of circular polarization with the optical components. (C) 2010 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3462977]