Transverse focusing of spin-polarized photocurrents

We measure transverse magnetically focused photocurrent signals in an InSb/InAlSb quantum well device. Using optical spin orientation by modulated circularly polarized light an electron spin-dependent signal is observed due to the spin-orbit interaction. Simulations of the focusing signal are perfor...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Physical review. B, Condensed matter and materials physics Condensed matter and materials physics, 2012-01, Vol.85 (4), Article 045431
Main Authors: Li, Juerong, Gilbertson, A. M., Litvinenko, K. L., Cohen, L. F., Clowes, S. K.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Computer simulation
Condensed matter
Focusing
Helicity
Indium antimonides
Photocurrent
Photoelectric effect
Precession
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Summary:We measure transverse magnetically focused photocurrent signals in an InSb/InAlSb quantum well device. Using optical spin orientation by modulated circularly polarized light an electron spin-dependent signal is observed due to the spin-orbit interaction. Simulations of the focusing signal are performed using a classical billiard ball model, which includes both spin precession and a spin-dependent electron energy. The simulated data suggest that a signal dependent on the helicity of the incident light is expected for a Rashba parameter alpha > 0.1 eV A and that a splitting of the focusing signal is not expected to be observed in linear polarized photocurrent and purely electrical measurements.
ISSN:1098-0121
1550-235X
DOI:10.1103/PhysRevB.85.045431