Optical spin orientation of a single manganese atom in a semiconductor quantum dot using quasi-resonant excitation

Claire Le Gall (1) , Lucien Besombes (1) , Hervé Boukari (1) , Roman Kolodka (1) , Joel Cibert (1) , Henri Mariette (1)

1 NEEL - NPSC - Nanophysique et Semiconducteurs

An optical spin orientation is achieved for a Mn atom localized in a semiconductor quantum dot using quasiresonant excitation at zero magnetic field. Optically created spin-polarized carriers generate an energy splitting of the Mn spin and enable magnetic moment orientation controlled by the photon helicity and energy. The dynamics and the magnetic field dependence of the optical pumping mechanism show that the spin lifetime of an isolated Mn atom at zero magnetic field is controlled by a magnetic anisotropy induced by the built-in strain in the quantum dots.

Domaines: Autre [cond-mat.other]

Claire Le Gall, Lucien Besombes, Hervé Boukari, Roman Kolodka, Joel Cibert, et al.. Optical spin orientation of a single manganese atom in a semiconductor quantum dot using quasi-resonant excitation. Physical Review Letters, 2009, 102, pp.127402. ⟨10.1103/PhysRevLett.102.127402⟩. ⟨hal-00794372⟩