Efficient room-temperature spin detector based on GaNAs

Abstract

Efficient and highly spin-dependent recombination processes are shown to not only turn GaNAs into an efficient spin filter but also to make it an excellent spin detector functional at room temperature (RT). By taking advantage of the defect-engineered spin-filtering effect, the spin detection efficiency is no longer limited by the fast spin relaxation of conduction electrons. This leads to a significant enhancement in the optical polarization of the spin detector, making it possible to reliably detect even very weak electron spin polarization at RT, as demonstrated by a study of spin loss during optical spin injection across a GaAsGaNAs interface. © 2012 American Institute of Physics.