Inelastic light scattering in highly excited GaAs

The coupled plasmon-LO-phonon and single-particle excitations of a photocreated electron-hole plasma in high purity GaAs are studied by means of Raman scattering measurements. The experimental results are described by the random-phase approximation with respect to the multicomponent character of optical plasma. From single-particle spectra the plasma distribution function and drift velocities up to 107 cm/s have been determined. Using the coupled modes as probe for the plasma density the temperature dependence of the recombination in the EHP is studied.