[en] We report theoretical studies of spin polarization dynamics in dilute nitride semiconductors. We develop a commonly used rate equation model [Lagarde et al., Phys. Status Solidi A 204, 208 (2007) and Kunold et al. Phys. Rev. B 83, 165202 (2011)] to take into account the influence of shallow localizing states on the temperature dependence of spin polarization dynamics and a spin filtering effect. Presented investigations show that the experimentally observed temperature dependence of a spin polarization lifetime in dilute nitrides can be related to the electron capture process by shallow localizing states without paramagnetic properties. This process reduces the efficiency of spin filtering effect by deep paramagnetic centers, especially at low temperatures

[en] The model of hopping excitons in semiconductors proposed by Baranovskii et al (1998 Phys. Rev. B 58 13081) has been modified and applied to explain sharp lines observed in micro-photoluminescence (μ-PL) spectra of GaInNAs alloys and their changes with excitation power and temperature. Instead of two types of recombination centres (radiative and nonradiative centres) introduced by Baranovskii et alwe have proposed one kind of localization centre with radiative and nonradiative rates. Such a modification is justifiable due to our recent experimental observations for GaInNAs alloys and allows us to explain the fast thermal quenching of localized emission from this alloy. Our simulations clearly show that the individual sharp PL lines observed at low temperatures appear for this material due to exciton hopping between localization centres. Taking into account saturation effects and the exciton dissociation phenomenon, it has been shown that the observed changes in power- and temperature dependent μ-PL spectra can be excellently reproduced by the modified model.

[en] In this work, we show the results of low-temperature photoluminescence (PL), time-resolved photoluminescence, and photoreflectance (PR) investigations, performed on a series of three Ga_0.64In_0.34As_1-xN_x/GaAs single quantum wells (SQW) grown by metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy with the nitrogen content of 0, 0.5, and 0.8 %. Comparing the PL and PR data, we show that at low excitation intensity and temperature, the radiative recombination occurs via localizing centers (LCs) in all samples. The excitation intensity-dependent PL measurements combined with theoretical modeling of hopping excitons in this system allow us to provide quantitative information on the disorder parameters describing population of LCs. It has been found that the average energy of LCs increases about two times and simultaneously the number of LCs increases about 10 and 20 times after the incorporation of 0.5 and 0.8 % of nitrogen, respectively. The value of average localization energy ε₀ determined for N-containing samples (∝6-7 meV) is in the range typical for dilute nitride QWs grown by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). On the other hand, the ''effective'' concentration of LCs seems to be higher than for GaInNAs/GaAs QW grown by MBE. The dramatic increase in localizing centers also affects the PL dynamics. Observed PL decay time dispersion is much stronger in GaInNAs SQW than in nitrogen-free SQW. The change in PL dynamic is very well reproduced by model of hopping excitons. (orig.)

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[en] Time-resolved photoluminescence (PL) characteristics of type-II GaAsSb/GaAs quantum wells are presented. The PL kinetics are determined by the dynamic band bending effect and the distribution of localized centers below the quantum well band gap. The dynamic band bending results from the spatially separated electron and hole distribution functions evolving in time. It strongly depends on the optical pump power density and causes temporal renormalization of the quantum well ground-state energy occurring a few nanoseconds after the optical pulse excitation. Moreover, it alters the optical transition oscillator strength. The measured PL lifetime is 4.5 ns. We point out the critical role of the charge transfer processes between the quantum well and localized centers, which accelerate the quantum well photoluminescence decay at low temperature. However, at elevated temperatures the thermally activated back transfer process slows down the quantum well photoluminescence kinetics. A three-level rate equation model is proposed to explain these observations. (paper)

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[en] Recently there has been an increased interest to apply the sensitive $\beta$-decay asymmetry detected nuclear magnetic resonance ($\beta$-NMR) technique to biological studies. A liquid-sample $\beta$-NMR setup was build at ISOLDE to allow such investigations and to use the resolution gain of liquid-state NMR in nuclear physics. As part of this setup a magnetic field locking system, a set of printed circuit board shimming coils, a sample exchange system, a set of compact $\beta$-detectors and a custom experimental vacuum chamber were developed. The main magnetic field was stabilized down to the ppm level by the locking system while allowing the direct determination of the absolute magnetic field. The homogeneity of the magnetic field was improved to $\le$ 5 ppm over the sample volume by the shimming coils. Time spent on changing samples was reduced by a factor of five by the liquid sample exchange system. During experiments it was possible to continuously observe the liquid sample thanks to the custom chamber and compact $\beta$-detectors. The absolute field determination allows for a novel way to reference $\beta$-NMR measurements, removing the need for time consuming reference measurements. The improved accuracy and resolution resulting from these innovations allows the study of the distribution of nuclear magnetization and (bio)chemicals using high-accuracy liquid-sample $\beta$-NMR.

[en] The optical properties of GaInNAs quantum wells (QW) grown by molecular beam epitaxy with and without N-irradiation (i.e. grown by the classical method) were investigated by the contactless electroreflectance (CER), temperature-dependent photoluminescence (PL) and time-resolved PL (TRPL). From CER measurements it was concluded that one type of nitrogen nearest-neighbor environment (In-rich environment) is dominant for GaInNAs QWs grown with N-irradiation whereas various nitrogen environments are present for the reference GaInNAs QW (i.e. the sample obtained by the classical method). PL and TRPL measurements clearly show that the optical properties of GaInNAs QWs are affected mainly by the amount of the incorporated nitride atoms. It was observed that the PL decay time decreased from ∼200 to ∼40 ps when the nitrogen concentration is increased from 0.8 to 2.2%. In addition, the presence of As flux during N-irradiation reduces the amount of the incorporated nitrogen and simultaneously improves the optical quality of GaInNAs QWs (i.e. it weakens the carrier localization at low temperatures and improves the quantum efficiency of PL)