Formation of spin domains in semimagnetic quantum wells: Theory

Spin-flip exchange interaction between free electrons and magnetic ions may lead to the formation of domains of enhanced spin temperature in semimagnetic quantum wells subjected to an external magnetic field. We present a theoretical model that describes the process of formation of the domains and allows one to obtain their characteristics at equilibrium. We obtain a quantitative agreement to the recent experimental data by Teppe et al. [F. Teppe et al., Phys. Rev. B 67, 033304 (2003)].