Plasmon-to-exciton spin conversion in semiconductor-metal hybrid nanostructures

I. A. Akimov, A. N. Poddubny, J. Vondran, Yu V. Vorobyov, L. V. Litvin, R. Jede, G. Karczewski, S. Chusnutdinow, T. Wojtowicz, M. Bayer

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Optical spin control is the basis for ultrafast spintronics: circularly polarized light in combination with spin-orbit coupling enables spin manipulation of electronic states in condensed matter. However, the conventional approach is limited to longitudinal spin initialization along one particular axis that is dictated by the direction of light propagation. Here, plasmonics opens new possibilities, allowing one to tailor light polarization at the nanoscale. We demonstrate ultrafast optical excitation of electron spin on femtosecond timescales via plasmon-to-exciton spin conversion. By time resolving the THz spin dynamics in a hybrid (Cd,Mn)Te quantum-well structure covered with a metallic grating, we unambiguously determine the orientation of the photoexcited electron spins which is locked to the propagation direction of the optically excited surface plasmon polaritons. Using the spin of the incident photons as an additional degree of freedom, one can adjust not only the longitudinal, but also the transverse electron spin components normal to the light propagation at will.

Original languageEnglish
Article number085425
JournalPhysical Review B
Volume103
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - 16 Feb 2021
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Condensed Matter Physics

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Plasmon-to-exciton spin conversion in semiconductor-metal hybrid nanostructures'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this