Optical in-plane anisotropy of ZnO/(Zn,Mg)O quantum wells grown on a-plane sapphire: Implications for optical spin control
Abstract
Utilizing the anisotropic thermal expansion of a-plane sapphire, we study the role of anisotropic in-plane strain on ZnO quantum well structures. X-ray data reveal a deformation of the hexagonal unit cell. The symmetry reduction shows up in the optical spectra by distinct linear-polarization features, both for the neutral and charged exciton transition. We elaborate the excitonic fine structure behind this observation, accounting for spin-orbit coupling and electron-hole exchange in the presence of anisotropic strain. The consequences for optical spin control are discussed.
- Publication:
-
Physical Review B
- Pub Date:
- February 2014
- DOI:
- 10.1103/PhysRevB.89.081301
- Bibcode:
- 2014PhRvB..89h1301P
- Keywords:
-
- 71.35.Pq;
- 73.21.Fg;
- 78.66.Hf;
- 85.75.-d;
- Charged excitons;
- Quantum wells;
- II-VI semiconductors;
- Magnetoelectronics;
- spintronics: devices exploiting spin polarized transport or integrated magnetic fields