Bismuth content dependence of the electron spin relaxation time in GaAsBi epilayers and quantum well structures

Abstract

Time-resolved optical orientation experiments have been performed in dilute bismide structures. Bulk layers with bismuth fractions in the range 1%-3.8% and quantum wells with bismuth fractions in the range 2.4%-7% were investigated. A clear decrease of the electron spin relaxation time is evidenced in both cases when the bismuth content increases. These results can be well interpreted by the increased efficiency of the spin relaxation mechanisms due to the bismuth induced larger spin-orbit interaction in these alloys.