Photoemission of spin-polarized electrons from negative electron affinity GaAsP

Abstract

GaAs0.62P0.38 activated to negative electron affinity and irradiated with circularly polarized light of a wavelength shorter than approximately 680 nm emits electrons whose spins are mainly oriented antiparallel to the photon spins. At 650 nm a degree of electron spin polarization around 40% is observed. The spectrum of spin polarization of the photoelectrons is similar to that known from GaAs cathodes but is shifted to shorter wavelengths. 25 μA current of spin-polarized electrons were achieved with a 5 mW He-Ne laser.