We implement the homodyne detection scheme for an increase in the polarimetric sensitivity in spin noise spectroscopy. Controlling the laser intensity of the local oscillator, which is guided around the sample and does not perturb the measured spin system, we are able to improve the signal-to-noise ratio. The opportunity for additional amplification of the measured signal strength allows us to reduce the probe laser intensity incident on the sample and therefore to approach the nonperturbative regime. The efficiency of this scheme with signal enhancement by more than a factor of 3 at low probe powers is demonstrated on bulk n-doped GaAs, where the reduced electron-spin relaxation rate is shown experimentally. Additionally, the control of the optical phase provides us with the possibility to switch between measuring Faraday rotation and ellipticity without changes in the optical setup.

Original languageEnglish
Article number125202
Number of pages8
JournalPhysical Review B
Volume97
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - 16 Mar 2018

    Research areas

  • HETERODYNE-DETECTION

    Scopus subject areas

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Condensed Matter Physics

ID: 28611533