Proximity Effects of a Symmetry-Breaking Interface on Spins of Photoexcited Electrons

Lan Qing, Yang Song, and Hanan Dery
Phys. Rev. Lett. 107, 107202 – Published 1 September 2011
PDFHTMLExport Citation

Abstract

We study reflection of optically spin-oriented hot electrons as a means to probe the semiconductor crystal symmetry and its intimate relation with the spin-orbit coupling. The symmetry breaking by reflection manifests itself by tipping the net-spin vector of the photoexcited electrons out of the light propagation direction. The tipping angle and the pointing direction of the net-spin vector are set by the crystal-induced spin precession, momentum alignment, and spin-momentum correlation of the initial photoexcited electron population. We examine nonmagnetic semiconductor heterostructures and semiconductor-ferromagnet systems and show the unique signatures of these effects.

  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Received 7 May 2010

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.107.107202

© 2011 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Lan Qing1,*, Yang Song1, and Hanan Dery1,2

  • 1Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14627, USA
  • 2Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14627, USA

  • *lan.qing@rochester.edu

See Also

Spin-Orbit Symmetries of Conduction Electrons in Silicon

Pengke Li and Hanan Dery
Phys. Rev. Lett. 107, 107203 (2011)

Article Text (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

Supplemental Material (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 107, Iss. 10 — 2 September 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 Letters

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×