Spin relaxation due to polar optical phonon scattering

Spin relaxation due to polar optical phonon scattering in semiconductors was investigated. The relaxation of the electron spin was found to increase with increasing the strength of the electric field. However, a high field completely depolarized the electron spin due to an increase of the spin precession frequency of the hot electrons, suggesting that high field transport conditions might not be desirable for spin-based technology with these semiconductors. It was also found that spin relaxation decreases with increasing moderately n-doping density or decreasing temperature. The results were discussed in comparison with the data available in the literature.

Spin relaxation time as a function of the lattice temperature.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► Application of the Ehrenreich's variational approach.
► Calculations of spin lifetimes including polar optical phonon scattering in zinc-blende semiconductors.
► Observations of temperature and doping density dependences of spin relaxation.
► High field transport conditions might not be desirable for spin-based technology with these semiconductors.