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Quantum Interference Control of Ballistic Pure Spin Currents in Semiconductors

Martin J. Stevens, Arthur L. Smirl, R. D. R. Bhat, Ali Najmaie, J. E. Sipe, and H. M. van Driel
Phys. Rev. Lett. 90, 136603 – Published 4 April 2003
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Abstract

We demonstrate all-optical quantum interference injection and control of a ballistic pure spin current (without an accompanying charge current) in GaAs/AlGaAs quantum wells, consisting of spin-up electrons traveling in one direction and spin-down electrons traveling in the opposite direction. This current is generated through quantum interference of one- and two-photon absorption of 100fs phase-locked pulses that have orthogonal linear polarizations. We use a spatially resolved pump-probe technique to measure carrier movement of 10nm. Results agree with recent theoretical predictions.

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  • Received 19 November 2002

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.90.136603

©2003 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Martin J. Stevens and Arthur L. Smirl*

  • Laboratory for Photonics & Quantum Electronics, 138 IATL, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242

R. D. R. Bhat, Ali Najmaie, J. E. Sipe, and H. M. van Driel

  • Department of Physics, University of Toronto, 60 St. George Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 1A7

  • *Electronic address: art-smirl@uiowa.edu

See Also

Spin Currents–Free of Charge

Adrian Cho
Phys. Rev. Focus 11, 24 (2003)

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Issue

Vol. 90, Iss. 13 — 4 April 2003

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