Spin Relaxation in Silicon Nanowires

Abstract

We simulate spin polarized transport of electrons along a silicon nanowire and along a silicon two dimensional channel. Spin density matrix calculations are used along with the semi-classical Monte Carlo approach to model spin evolution along the channel. Spin dephasing in silicon is caused due to Rashba Spin Orbit Interaction (structural inversion asymmetry) which gives rise to D'yakonov-Perel' relaxation. Spin relaxation length in a nanowire is found to be an order of magnitude higher than that in a 2-D channel. The effect of driving electric field on spin relaxation is also investigated. These results obtained are essential for design of spintronics based devices.