Dyakonov–Perel

Published

November 10, 2025

DP-like relaxation is when scattering processes (e.g. from disorder) prolongs orbital (or spin) relaxation time, i.e. \(\tau_{s,o}\propto 1/{\tau_m}\), where \(\tau_m\) is the momentum scattering time ().

It was expected that disorder accelerated \(\tau_o\) (Elliott-Yafet (EY)-like relaxation), but was shown otherwise in sohnDyakonovPerellikeOrbitalSpin2024.

Furthermore, SOC may cause \(\tau_o\) and \(\tau_s\) to be related. \(\tau_s\) in centrosymmetric is commonly EY-like, but sohnDyakonovPerellikeOrbitalSpin2024 theorizes SOC contributes to DP-like relaxation in Pt (Platinium, centrosymmetric metal).

Conclusions

Orbital relaxation length