Anisotropic electron spin relaxation in bulk GaN

Abstract

Electron spin dynamics in n-type c-oriented wurtzite GaN epilayers is studied by time-resolved Kerr-rotation measurements at T=80 K. The electron spin lifetime shows a sudden increase if an external magnetic field is applied in the sample plane. This enhancement is explained by anisotropic Dyakonov–Perel spin relaxation in bulk GaN as a direct consequence of the anisotropy of spin-orbit coupling in semiconductors with wurtzite structure.