Spin–Orbit Coupling in n-Type PbTe/PbEuTe Quantum Wells

Magnetoresistance measurements were performed on an n-type PbTe/PbEuTe quantum well and weak antilocalization effects were observed. This indicates the presence of spin–orbit coupling phenomena and we showed that the Rashba effect is the main mechanism responsible for this spin–orbit coupling. Using the model developed by Iordanskii et al., we fitted the experimental curves and obtained the inelastic and spin–orbit scattering times. Thus we could compare the zero field energy spin-splitting predicted by the Rashba theory with the energy spin-splitting obtained from the analysis of the experimental curves. The final result confirms the theoretical prediction of strong Rashba effect on IV–VI based quantum wells. PACS: 72.10.−d, 72.25.Rb, 73.20.Fz, 73.63.Hs 1