On the cloud of electron-hole droplets

Abstract

In a recent experiment, Voos, Shaklee, and Worlock have shown that under a very high excitation, the electron-hole plasma of germanium forms a cloud of droplets of same size instead of one large drop. Various explanations are studied, but only one seems possible: drops are ejected from the boiling liquid formed near the laser spot, they are slowed by collisions with exciton and stop near the edge of the cloud. This process is strongly related to the excitation power. At lower excitation, exciton gas should be created first and drops should be nucleated from it.