Electromagnetic surface modes in a magnetized quantum electron-hole plasma

TL;DR

This paper investigates surface electromagnetic waves in a magnetized quantum electron-hole plasma, revealing a new forward mode caused by quantum tunneling and analyzing how magnetic fields and degeneracy influence these modes.

Contribution

It introduces a previously unreported forward propagating surface mode driven by quantum tunneling in magnetized quantum plasmas.

Findings

Discovery of a new forward surface mode due to quantum tunneling.

Identification of a low-frequency mode similar to experimental observations in InSb.

Surface modes are significantly affected by high conductivity and degeneracy.

Abstract

The propagation of surface electromagnetic waves along a uniform magnetic field is studied in a quantum electron-hole semiconductor plasma. A new forward propagating mode, not reported before, is found by the effect of quantum tunneling, which otherwise does not exist. In the classical limit ($\hbar\rightarrow 0$) one of the low-frequency modes is found similar to an experimentally observed one in $n$-type InSb at room temperature. The surface modes are shown to be significantly modified in the case of high-conductivity semiconductor plasmas where electrons and holes may be degenerate. The effects of the external magnetic field and the quantum tunneling on the surface wave modes are discussed.