Spin depolarization via tunneling effects in asymmetric double quantum dot structure

Time-resolved photoluminescence experiments have been performed to investigate exciton spin relaxation processes at low temperatures in InAlAs-InGaAs asymmetric double quantum dots embedded in AlGaAs layers. By decreasing the thickness of the AlGaAs barrier between the dots, the spin relaxation times decreased from 3 ns to 1 ns. The observed spin relaxation as a function of barrier thickness was reasonably described by two components: one was a constant and the other was exponentially depended on barrier thickness. The origin of the latter component is discussed in connection with spin-flip tunneling.