Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 25, 2026

Cooling an Optically Trapped Ultracold Fermi Gas by Periodical Driving
Published on: March 30, 2017
Spin currents in a coherent exciton gas
A A High1, A T Hammack1, J R Leonard1
1Department of Physics, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093-0319, USA.
We observed spin currents in a coherent gas of indirect excitons, a novel mechanism that suppresses spin relaxation and creates diverse polarization patterns. These spin currents can be controlled by magnetic fields.
Area of Science:
- Condensed matter physics
- Quantum optics
- Materials science
Background:
- Indirect excitons are crucial for quantum information processing.
- Spin relaxation limits the efficiency of spin-based devices.
- Coherent phenomena in excitonic systems are of great interest.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the formation and properties of spin currents in coherent exciton gases.
- To explore a new mechanism for spin relaxation suppression.
- To understand the control and theoretical description of exciton spin transport.
Main Methods:
- Observation of spin currents in a coherent gas of indirect excitons.
- Analysis of various polarization patterns (helical, four-leaf, spiral, bell, periodic).
- Application of magnetic fields to control spin currents.
- Development of a theoretical model for coherent exciton spin transport.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated long-range spin currents originating from coherent bosonic pairs.
- Identified a new mechanism suppressing spin relaxation.
- Observed diverse polarization patterns resulting from spin currents.
- Showcased magnetic field control over spin currents.
Conclusions:
- Coherent exciton gases provide a platform for long-range spin transport.
- The formation of coherent bosonic pairs effectively suppresses spin relaxation.
- Exciton spin transport exhibits complex patterns controllable by external fields.
- The developed theory accurately describes observed phenomena and spin current trajectories.
Related Concept Videos
Magnetic Field due to Moving Charges
Consider a point charge moving with a constant velocity. Like the electric field, the magnetic field at any point is directly proportional to the magnitude of the charge and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between the source point and the field point. However, unlike the electric field, the magnetic field is always perpendicular to the plane containing the line...
Atomic Nuclei: Nuclear Relaxation Processes
Energy In A Magnetic Field
Take an ideal inductor with zero resistance. Although it's practically impossible, assume that the coil's resistance is so small that it is practically negligible. The loss of the field's energy to dissipate thermal energy (or heat) is thus...
Induced Electric Dipoles
Since the absolute value of potential energy holds no physical meaning, its zero value can be chosen as per...
Atomic Nuclei: Nuclear Spin State Overview
Spin–Spin Coupling Constant: Overview
Qualitatively, any spin plus-half nucleus polarizes the spins of its electrons to the minus-half state. Consequently, the paired electron in the hydrogen–carbon bond must...

