Nonreciprocal scattering by stacked nonlinear magneto-active semiconductor layers

• Non-reciprocity in three-wave mixing by magnetised periodic semiconductor stacks.
• Self-consistent problem formulation including the dynamics of charges.
• Mechanisms and properties of combinatorial frequency generation and emission.
• Nonreciprocal effects in nonlinear scattering by the stacked semiconductor layers.
• Magneto-plasma resonance enhancement of nonlinear activity.

The combinatorial frequency generation by the periodic stacks of magnetically biased semiconductor layers has been modelled in a self-consistent problem formulation, taking into account the nonlinear dynamics of carriers. It is shown that magnetic bias not only renders nonreciprocity of the three-wave mixing process but also significantly enhances the nonlinear interactions in the stacks, especially at the frequencies close to the intrinsic magneto-plasma resonances of the constituent layers. The main mechanisms and properties of the combinatorial frequency generation and emission from the stacks are illustrated by the simulation results, and the effects of the individual layer parameters and the structure arrangement on the stack nonlinear and nonreciprocal response are discussed.