One and two-phonon processes of the spin–flip relaxation in quantum dots: Spin–phonon coupling mechanism

We investigate the spin–flip relaxation in quantum dots using a non-radiation transition approach based on the descriptions for the electron–phonon deformation potential and Fröhlich interaction in the Pavlov–Firsov spin–phonon Hamiltonian. We give the comparisons of the electron relaxations with and without spin–flip assisted by one and two-phonon processes. Calculations are performed for the dependence of the relaxation time on the external magnetic field, the temperature and the energy separation between the Zeeman sublevels of the ground and first-excited state. We find that the electron relaxation time of the spin–flip process is more longer by three orders of magnitudes than that of no spin–flip process.

► The spin–flip relaxation in quantum dots is studied by lattice relaxation approach.
► The spin–flip relaxations assisted by one and two-phonon processes are presented.
► The time of spin–flip process is three orders longer than that of no spin–flip.