Optical spin orientation of a single manganese atom

An optical spin orientation is achieved for a Mn atom localized in a semiconductor quantum dot using quasiresonant excitation at zero magnetic field. Optically created spin polarized carriers generate an energy splitting of the Mn spin and enable magnetic moment orientation controlled by the photon helicity and energy. The dynamics and the magnetic field dependence of the optical pumping mechanism shows that the spin lifetime of an isolated Mn atom at zero magnetic field is controlled by a magnetic anisotropy induced by the built-in strain in the quantum dots. Relaxation times exceeding the micro-second range are measured (© 2010 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)