Tracking Electron & Hole Dynamics in 3D Dirac Semimetals

Using ultrafast optical-pump terahertz-probe spectroscopy (OPTP) and ultrafast terahertz emission spectroscopy, we showcase the electron and hole dynamics in Cd
3
As
2
nanowires (NWs), a well-known 3D Dirac semimetal a subgroup of the newly discovered. A temperature-dependent photoconductivity measurement was carried out yielding an incredibly high electron mobility ~ 16,000 cm
²
/Vs at 5K. Strong THz emission due to helicity-dependent surface photocurrents was also observed for both nanowires and single crystal (SC) which is highly desirable for devices such as THz sources.