窄带隙半导体异质结构的自旋效应最近受到了国际上的很大关注.Ⅳ-Ⅵ族半导体具有各向异性和多能谷的特征,因此可以预期Rashba自旋效应在不同取向的Ⅳ-Ⅵ族半导体量子阱结构中存在显著差异.计算了多个取向的Pb1-ySryTe/PbTe/Pb1-xSrxTe非对称量子阱中的Rashba分裂能,结果表明[100]取向的PbTe量子阱的Rashba分裂能在阱宽为5.0nm时高达2.2meV,而沿其他两个主要方向([110],[111])生长的量子阱由于能谷的退简并存在两组Rashba分裂能.给出了Rashba自旋分裂能与量子阱非对称参量、阱宽、温度和波矢k∥的依赖关系.Ⅳ-Ⅵ族半导体非对称量子阱结构比Ⅲ-Ⅴ族半导体具有更大的Rashba自旋分裂能,这一特点使得它在自旋电子器件领域可能具有潜在的应用价值.
Recently, spin effect in narrow gap semiconductor heterostructures has attracted much attention. However, Rashba spin effect is quite different in Ⅳ-Ⅵ asymmetric quantum wells (QWs) with various growth orientations due to their muhivalley and anisotropic band structures. In this work, we calculated Rashba splitting in Pb1-y Sry Te/PbTe/Pb1 - x Srx Te asymmetric QWs with growth orientations [ 100], [ 110] and [ 111 ]. The results show that Rashba splitting reaches the maximum of 2.2 meV when the well width of PbTe QWs with growth orientation [ 100] is 5.0 nm, and two groups of Rashba splitting is obtained in PbTe and QWs with growth orientations [ 110] and [ 111 ], respectively, because the quantum confinement lifts off the fourfold degeneracy of the L-energy valleys. The dependences of Rashba splitting on asymmetry of QWs, well width, temperature and k//(the wave vactor in the plane) are also investigated. Large Rashba spin splitting may make Ⅳ-Ⅵ asymmetric QWs as a material candidate for spintronic devices.