Dyakonov-Perel spin relaxation for degenerate electrons in the electron-hole liquid

Matthew D. Mower, G. Vignale, and I. V. Tokatly
Phys. Rev. B 83, 155205 – Published 14 April 2011

Abstract

We present an analytical study of the Dyakonov-Perel spin relaxation time for degenerate electrons in a photoexcited electron-hole liquid in intrinsic semiconductors exhibiting a spin-split band structure. The Dyakonov-Perel spin relaxation of electrons in these materials is controlled by electron-hole scattering, with small corrections from electron-electron scattering and virtually none from electron-impurity scattering. We derive simple expressions (one-dimensional and two-dimensional integrals respectively) for the effective electron-hole and electron-electron scattering rates which enter the spin relaxation time calculation. The electron-hole scattering rate is found to be comparable to the scattering rates from impurities in the electron liquid—a common model for n-type doped semiconductors. As the density of electron-hole pairs decreases (within the degenerate regime), a strong enhancement of the scattering rates and a corresponding slowing down of spin relaxation is predicted due to exchange and correlation effects in the electron-hole liquid. In the opposite limit of high density, the original Dyakonov-Perel model fails due to decreasing scattering rates and is eventually superseded by free precession of individual quasiparticle spins.

  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Received 2 November 2010

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.83.155205

©2011 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Matthew D. Mower and G. Vignale

  • Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65211, USA

I. V. Tokatly

  • Nano-Bio Spectroscopy Group and ETSF Scientific Development Centre, Departamento de Física de Materiales, Universidad del País Vasco UPV/EHU, E-20018 San Sebastián, Spain and IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, E-48011 Bilbao, Spain

Article Text (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 83, Iss. 15 — 15 April 2011

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options
CHORUS

Article Available via CHORUS

Download Accepted Manuscript
Author publication services for translation and copyediting assistance advertisement

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review B

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×