Anisotropic electron spin lifetime in $(\mathrm{In},\mathrm{Ga})\mathrm{As}∕\mathrm{Ga}\mathrm{As}$ (110) quantum wells

Anisotropic electron spin lifetime in $(In, Ga) As ∕ Ga As$ (110) quantum wells

L. Schreiber, D. Duda, B. Beschoten, G. Güntherodt, H.-P. Schönherr, and J. Herfort

Phys. Rev. B 75, 193304 – Published 7 May 2007

Abstract

Anisotropic electron spin lifetimes in strained undoped $(In, Ga) As ∕ Ga As$ (110) quantum wells of different widths and heights are investigated by time-resolved Faraday rotation and time-resolved transmission and are compared to the (001) orientation. From the suppression of spin precession as a function of transverse magnetic fields, the ratio of in-plane to out-of-plane spin lifetimes is calculated. While the ratio increases with In concentration in agreement with theory, an unprecedented high anisotropy of 480 is observed for the broadest quantum well at the low In concentration, when expressed in terms of spin relaxation times.