Temperature independence of the spin-injection efficiency of a MgO-based tunnel spin injector

The spin polarization of electrons injected into GaAs from a CoFe/MgO(100) tunnel spin injector is inferred from the circular polarization of light emitted from a GaAs-based quantum well (QW) detector. The circular polarization strongly depends on the spin and electron hole recombination lifetimes in the QW. Using time-resolved optical techniques, we show that these lifetimes are highly temperature dependent. A peak in the charge lifetime versus temperature is likely responsible for the previously observed dip in the electroluminescence polarization. Evidence for a temperature-independent spin injection efficiency of similar to 70% from 10 K to room temperature is found. (c) 2005 American Institute of Physics.