A comprehensive evaluation of factors that influence the spin polarization of electrons emitted from bulk GaAs photocathodes

The degree of polarization of photoemitted electrons extracted from bulk unstrained GaAs photocathodes is usually considerably less than the theoretical maximum value of 50%, as a result of depolarization mechanisms that originate within the photocathode material and at the vacuum surface interface. This paper provides a comprehensive review of depolarization mechanisms and presents a systematic experimental evaluation of polarization sensitivities to temperature, dopant density, quantum efficiency, and crystal orientation. The highest measured polarization was ∼50%, consistent with the maximum theoretical value, obtained from a photocathode sample with relatively low dopant concentration and cooled to 77 K. In general, measurements indicate electron spin polarization can be enhanced at the expense of photoelectron yield (or quantum efficiency).