Spin Current Generation and Detection using Low-Efficiency Schottky Photodiodes
Major
Physics
Submission Type
Poster
Area of Study or Work
Physics
Faculty Advisor
Abdel Isakovic
Location
CNS Atrium
Start Date
4-12-2025 8:30 AM
End Date
4-12-2025 9:30 AM
Abstract
Spin Photodiodes and Spin Light Emitting Diodes are examples of semiconductor devices where quantum effects are more pronounced, due to the direct application of the dipole transition rules for the absorption and emission of circularly polarized light in zinc blende structures, such as GaAs. Traditional applications for semiconductor devices do not seek to control the electron spin and photon polarization generated in this process, but doing so effectively could lead to significant advances in information processing and storage, quantum sensing, and other, yet to be determined quantum-driven applications. Our aim is to generate spin photocurrent in a Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) Schottky photodiode using circularly polarized infrared light, and to detect the polarization-sensitivity in the resulting photocurrent with equipment typically available in an Undergraduate laboratory. We begin by fabricating a primitive Schottky photodiode using GaAs, then we will attempt to measure amplified photocurrent in order to detect spin-sensitivity in the resulting IV curves. We use polarization sensitive optics, and in later stages, ultrathin magnetic film as a spin filter. Our goal is to examine how high above cryogenic temperatures can we detect spin photocurrent.
Spin Current Generation and Detection using Low-Efficiency Schottky Photodiodes
CNS Atrium
Spin Photodiodes and Spin Light Emitting Diodes are examples of semiconductor devices where quantum effects are more pronounced, due to the direct application of the dipole transition rules for the absorption and emission of circularly polarized light in zinc blende structures, such as GaAs. Traditional applications for semiconductor devices do not seek to control the electron spin and photon polarization generated in this process, but doing so effectively could lead to significant advances in information processing and storage, quantum sensing, and other, yet to be determined quantum-driven applications. Our aim is to generate spin photocurrent in a Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) Schottky photodiode using circularly polarized infrared light, and to detect the polarization-sensitivity in the resulting photocurrent with equipment typically available in an Undergraduate laboratory. We begin by fabricating a primitive Schottky photodiode using GaAs, then we will attempt to measure amplified photocurrent in order to detect spin-sensitivity in the resulting IV curves. We use polarization sensitive optics, and in later stages, ultrathin magnetic film as a spin filter. Our goal is to examine how high above cryogenic temperatures can we detect spin photocurrent.