Spin orientation of two-dimensional electron gas under intraband optical pumping

The theory of spin orientation of two-dimensional (2D) electron gas has been developed for intrasubband indirect optical transitions. The monopolar optical orientation of electrons in the conduction band is caused by the indirect scattering with virtual intermediate states in the valence band and allowance for selection rules for interband transitions. The considered mechanism of optical orientation is shown to be in an inherent relation with the special Elliot-Yafet mechanism of electron spin relaxation induced by virtual interband scattering.