Spin orientation of a two-dimensional electron gas by a high-frequency electric field

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that a high-frequency electric field can be used to manipulate and orient electron spins in a two-dimensional electron gas within quantum well structures, leveraging spin-orbit coupling effects.

Contribution

It introduces a method to achieve spin orientation using linearly polarized high-frequency electric fields in 2D electron gases, expanding electrical control over spin states.

Findings

Spin orientation achieved by high-frequency electric field

Spin sign and magnitude depend on field polarization

Orientation occurs along the quantum well normal

Abstract

Coupling of spin states and space motion of conduction electrons due to spin-orbit interaction opens up possibilities for manipulation of the electron spins by electrical means. It is shown here that spin orientation of a two-dimensional electron gas can be achieved by excitation of the carriers with a linearly polarized high-frequency electric field. In (001)-grown quantum well structures excitation with in-plane ac electric field induces orientation of the electron spins along the quantum well normal, with the spin sign and the magnitude depending on the field polarization.