Dimensionally constrained D'yakonov-Perel' spin relaxation in n-InGaAs channels: transition from 2D to 1D

We investigate both the spin dynamics and the magnetotransport properties of two-dimensional (2D) n-InGaAs channels as a function of the channel width. We find that the electron spin scattering in the channels is limited by a dimensionally constrained D'yakonov-Perel' mechanism, while the magnetotransport reveals purely 2D behaviour. For submicron channels the spin relaxation times increase for decreasing widths, while the magnetotransport data exhibit no band bending effects for the investigated samples. Temperature and photon energy dependent measurements rule out dissipative effects and further corroborate the experimental observation of a dimensionally constrained spin relaxation