Spintronics phenomena induced by THz radiation in narrow-gap HgCdTe thin films in an external constant electric field

Abstract

The responses of uncooled (T = 300 K) and cooled to T = 78 K antenna-coupled Hg1–xCdxTe-based narrow-gap thin-film photoconductors having large spin-orbit coupling and irradiated by the terahertz (THz) radiation (linearly or circularly polarized) have been investigated. Powerful THz radiation excitation causes photocurrents, which signs and magnitudes are controlled by orientation of antenna axes, an external constant electric field direction and orientation of the polarized (circular or linear) radiation electric field falling onto photoconductors. The observed effects seem to be caused by the spin currents observed in devices where spintronic effects are revealed. spintronic phenomena, photoconductors, THz radiation, HgCdTe.