Cited by 406Quantum and electron transport phenomenaSemiconductor Quantum Structures and DevicesStrong Light-Matter Interactions

Spin photocurrents in quantum wells

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Ganichev, S D, Prettl, W·2003·Journal of Physics: Condensed Matter

Abstract

Spin photocurrents generated by homogeneous optical excitation with circularly polarized radiation in quantum wells (QWs) are reviewed. The absorption of circularly polarized light results in optical spin orientation due to the transfer of the angular momentum of photons to electrons of a two-dimensional electron gas. It is shown that in QWs belonging to one of the gyrotropic crystal classes a non-equilibrium spin polarization of uniformly distributed electrons causes a directed motion of electrons in the plane of the QW. A characteristic feature of this electric current, which occurs in unbiased samples, is that it reverses its direction upon changing the radiation helicity from left-handed to right-handed and vice versa. Two microscopic mechanisms are responsible for the occurrence of an electric current linked to a uniform spin polarization in a QW: the spin polarization-induced circular photogalvanic effect and the spin-galvanic effect. In both effects the current flow is driven by an asymmetric distribution of spin-polarized carriers in k -space of systems with lifted spin degeneracy due to k -linear terms in the Hamiltonian. Spin photocurrents provide methods to investigate spin relaxation and to reach a conclusion as regards the in-plane symmetry of QWs. The effect can also be utilized to develop fast detectors for determining the degree of circular polarization of a radiation beam. Furthermore, spin photocurrents under infrared excitation were used to demonstrate and investigate monopolar spin orientation of free carriers.

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Research works printed but not linked: 14

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Authors
Ganichev, S. D., & Prettl, W.
Affiliations
University of Regensburg (DE)
Venue
Journal of Physics: Condensed Matter
Published
2003-05-09
Volume
15
Issue
20
Pages
R935-R983
ISSN
  • 0953-8984 (ISSN-L)
  • 1361-648X
OpenAlex
W1968953789
Cited by
406
References
102
Citations by year
2026: 8 · 2025: 19 · 2024: 21 · 2023: 26 · 2022: 20 · 2021: 24 · 2020: 21 · 2019: 14 · 2018: 24 · 2017: 28 · 2016: 15 · 2015: 16 · 2014: 13 · 2013: 13 · 2012: 11
FWCI
9.69
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Physics Condensed Matter (publishedVersion)
  • University of Regensburg Publication Server (University of Regensburg) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
  • Russian Foundation for Basic Research
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics › Quantum and electron transport phenomena
  • Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics › Semiconductor Quantum Structures and Devices
  • Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics › Strong Light-Matter Interactions
Keywords
spin photocurrent, quantum wells, circularly polarized light, optical spin orientation, two-dimensional electron gas, spin-galvanic effect, spin relaxation, helicity reversal

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