Theory of phonon-induced spin relaxation in laterally coupled quantum dots

TL;DR

This paper models phonon-induced spin relaxation in coupled lateral quantum dots with spin-orbit coupling, identifying anisotropic hot spots and proposing a geometry for spin-based quantum computing.

Contribution

It provides a theoretical analysis of spin relaxation mechanisms in coupled quantum dots, highlighting the role of spin hot spots and optimal geometries for quantum information applications.

Findings

Single-dot calculations agree with experimental data.

Spin hot spots cause rapid relaxation at certain couplings.

Diagonal crystallographic orientation reduces hot spot effects.

Abstract

Phonon-induced spin relaxation in coupled lateral quantum dots in the presence of spin-orbit coupling is calculated. The calculation for single dots is consistent with experiment. Spin relaxation in double dots at useful interdot couplings is dominated by spin hot spots that are strongly anisotropic. Spin hot spots are ineffective for a diagonal crystallographic orientation of the dots with a transverse in-plane field. This geometry is proposed for spin-based quantum information processing.