Spin dynamics of electrons in the first excited subband of a high-mobility low-density 2D electron system

TL;DR

This study investigates the spin coherence of electrons in the first excited subband of a high-mobility 2D electron system using time-resolved Kerr rotation, revealing temperature-dependent spin lifetimes influenced by electron-electron scattering.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed measurement of spin dynamics in the excited subband of a high-mobility 2D electron system, highlighting the impact of inter-subband scattering on spin relaxation.

Findings

Spin lifetime peaks at 36 K with 596 ps

Spin lifetime decreases monotonically with magnetic field

Electron-electron scattering affects spin relaxation

Abstract

We report on time-resolved Kerr rotation measurements of spin coherence of electrons in the first excited subband of a high-mobility low-density two-dimensional electron system in a GaAs/Al0.35Ga0.65As heterostructure. While the transverse spin lifetime (T2*) of electrons decreases monotonically with increasing magnetic field, it has a non-monotonic dependence on the temperature, with a peak value of 596 ps at 36 K, indicating the effect of inter-subband electron-electron scattering on the electron spin relaxation. The spin lifetime may be long enough for potential device application with electrons in excited subbands.