Strong room-temperature optical and spin polarization in InAs/GaAs quantum dot structures

Room-temperature optical and spin polarization up to 35% is reported in InAs/GaAs quantum dots in zero magnetic field under optical spin injection using continuous-wave optical orientation spectroscopy. The observed strong spin polarization is suggested to be facilitated by a shortened trion lifetime, which constrains electron spin relaxation. Our finding provides experimental demonstration of the highly anticipated capability of semiconductor quantum dots as highly polarized spin/light sources and efficient spin detectors, with efficiency greater than 35% in the studied quantum dots.Original Publication:Jan Beyer, Irina A Buyanova, S. Suraprapapich, C. W. Tu and Weimin Chen, Strong room-temperature optical and spin polarization in InAs/GaAs quantum dot structures, 2011, Applied Physics Letters, (98), 20, 203110.http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.3592572Copyright: American Institute of Physicshttp://www.aip.org