Spin dynamics in bulk CdTe at room temperature

In this paper, we report on the room temperature dynamics of spin-polarized carriers in undoped bulk CdTe. Platelets of CdTe with different concentration of preparation-induced dislocations were prepared by combining the mechanical polishing and chemical etching. Using the polarization-resolved pump-probe experiment in transmission geometry, we have observed a systematic decrease of both the signal polarization and the electron spin dephasing time (from 52 to 36 ps) with the increased concentration of defects. We have suggested that the Elliot–Yafet mechanism might be the dominant spin dephasing mechanism in platelets of CdTe at room temperature.