Direct imprinting of arbitrary spin textures using programmable structured light in a semiconductor two-dimensional electron gas

Abstract

Precise control of spatial spin structures, such as spin helices, is critical for advancing spintronic devices, particularly in non-volatile, low-power information storage and processing. Conventional techniques, including transient spin grating spectroscopy and spatial- and time-resolved Kerr rotation microscopy, are limited by fixed optical grating periods and uniform light polarization, respectively, which constrain the flexibility of spin helix generation. Here, we introduce a novel approach utilizing structured light to directly imprint spatial spin structures in a GaAs/AlGaAs quantum well. This method allows for the precise control over the wave number and configuration of the spin helices, overcoming the limitations of previous techniques. Experiments conducted using pump-probe Kerr rotation microscopy combined with a programmable spatial light modulator revealed the efficient and tunable generation of spin helices. This approach is broadly applicable not only to semiconductors but also to magnetic thin films and 2D materials.