Transient photoluminescence spectroscopy of spin injection dynamics in double quantum wells of diluted magnetic semiconductors

Abstract

Dynamics of spin injection has been studied in double quantum wells (DQWs) composed of diluted magnetic and non-magnetic semiconductors. Picosecond-transient photoluminescence (PL) of excitons in the DQWs has been measured in magnetic field. In the Cd 1− x Mn x Te-based DQWs, the PL intensity of the magnetic well (MW) excitons decays faster with decreasing barrier width from 12 to 2 nm. This provides the evidence for carrier tunneling from the MW to the non-magnetic well (NW) through the barrier layer. The degree of circular polarization in the transient PL of the NW exciton in magnetic field shows marked evidence for spin injection and rapid spin relaxation in the DQW system. In the Zn 1− y Mn y Se-based DQWs, the degree of circle polarization in the NW exciton PL at 3 T shows a rise with a time constant of 400 ps, while the PL of the MW exciton decays within 50 ps. The observed result is interpreted by the individual spin injection for electrons and holes from the MW to the NW. The results of the transient PL of excitons in the DQWs are compared with the transient absorptions of excitons studied by the pump-and-probe spectroscopy.