Spin-orbit fields in asymmetric (001) quantum wells

P. S. Eldridge, J. Hübner, S. Oertel, R. T. Harley, M. Henini, M. Oestreich

Published 2010-10-11Version 1

We measure simultaneously the in-plane electron g-factor and spin relaxation rate in a series of undoped inversion-asymmetric (001)-oriented GaAs/AlGaAs quantum wells by spin-quantum beat spectroscopy. In combination the two quantities reveal the absolute values of both the Rashba and the Dresselhaus coefficients and prove that the Rashba coefficient can be negligibly small despite huge conduction band potential gradients which break the inversion symmetry. The negligible Rashba coefficient is a consequence of the 'isomorphism' of conduction and valence band potentials in quantum systems where the asymmetry is solely produced by alloy variations.