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We report the observation of the quantum-confined Stark effect in Ge/SiGe multiple quantum well heterostructures grown on Si(0.22)Ge(0.78) virtual substrates. The large compressive strain in the Ge quantum well layers caused by the lattice mismatch with the virtual substrate results in a blue shift of the direct absorption edge, as well as a reduction in the ��-valley scattering lifetime because of strain-induced splittings of the conduction band valleys. We investigate theoretically the ��-valley carrier lifetimes by evaluating the ��-to-L and ��-to-�� scattering rates in strained Ge/SiGe semiconductor heterostructures. These scattering rates are used to determine the lifetime broadening of excitonic peaks and the indirect absorption in simulated absorption spectra, which are compared with measured absorption spectra for quantum well structures with systematically-varied dimensions. We find that ��-to-�� scattering is significant in compressively strained Ge quantum wells and that the ��-valley electron lifetime is less than 50 fs in the highly-strained structures reported here, where ��-to-�� scattering accounted for approximately half of the total scattering rate., 8 pages, 8 figures

We demonstrate significant modification of the electron-phonon energy loss rate in a many-valley semiconductor system due to lattice mismatch induced strain. We show that the thermal conductance from the electron system to the phonon bath in strained n + Si, at phonon temperatures between 200 mK and 450 mK, is more than an order of magnitude lower than that for a similar unstrained sample.

We study DC and AC transport in low-density $p-$Si/SiGe heterostructures at low temperatures and in a broad domain of magnetic fields up to 18 T. Complex AC conductance is determined from simultaneous measurement of velocity and attenuation of a surface acoustic wave propagating in close vicinity of the 2D hole layer. The observed behaviors of DC and AC conductance are interpreted as an evolution from metallic conductance at B=0 through hopping between localized states in intermediate magnetic fields (close to the plateau of the integer quantum Hall effect corresponding to the Landau-level filling factor $\nu$=1) to formation of the Wigner glass in the extreme quantum limit ($B\gtrsim 14$, $T \lesssim 0.8$ K)., Comment: 11 pages, 14 figures

The surface acoustic wave (SAWs) attenuation coefficient $\Gamma$ and the velocity change $\Delta V /V$ were measured for $p$-type Si/SiGe heterostructures in the temperature range 0.7 - 1.6 K as a function of external magnetic field $H$ up to 7 T and in the frequency range 30-300 MHz in the hole Si/SiGe heterostructures. Oscillations of $\Gamma$ (H) and $\Delta V /V$ (H) in a magnetic field were observed. Both real $\sigma_1$ (H) and imaginary $\sigma_2$ (H) components of the high-frequency conductivity have been determined. Analysis of the $\sigma_1$ to $\sigma_2$ ratio allows the carrier localization to be followed as a function of temperature and magnetic field. At T=0.7 K the variation of $\Gamma$, $\Delta V /V$ and $\sigma_1$ with SAW intensity have been studied and could be attributed to 2DHG heating by the SAW electric field. The energy relaxation time is found to be dominated by scattering at the deformation potential of the acoustic phonons with weak screening., Comment: RevTeX4; 4 figs

The interaction of surface acoustic waves (SAW) with $p$-type Si/Si$_{0.87}$Ge$_{0.13}$ heterostructures has been studied for SAW frequencies of 30-300 MHz. For temperatures in the range 0.7$, Comment: Accepted for publication in PRB

Germanium-Tin is emerging as a material exhibiting excellent photonic properties. Here we demonstrate optical initialization and readout of spins in this intriguing group IV semiconductor alloy and report on spin quantum beats between Zeeman-split levels under an external magnetic field. Our optical experiments reveal robust spin orientation in a wide temperature range and a persistent spin lifetime that approaches the ns regime at room temperature. Besides important insights into nonradiative recombination pathways, our findings disclose a rich spin physics in novel epitaxial structures directly grown on a conventional Si substrate. This introduces a viable route towards the synergic enrichment of the group IV semiconductor toolbox with advanced spintronics and photonic capabilities.