Luminescence rings in quantum well structures

We review the results of an extensive study of the novel luminescence rings found in GaAs and InGaAs double quantum well structures. We propose that the rings define the edge of a metastable population of carriers between the laser excitation spot and the ring. This population carries wavelike excitations at supersonic speeds. Evidence for and against associating this effect with excitonic superfluidity is reviewed. The effect cannot be easily understood in terms of a Kosterlitz-Thouless transition to a superfluid state. We examine the effects of free carriers in the system and suggest a possible mechanism for the luminescence ring effect. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.