Polarization-Sensitive Photodetector Based On Gaas1 & Minus;Xnx

We propose and numerically simulate an optoelectronic compact circular polarimeter. It allows for electrical measurement of the degree of circular polarization and light intensity at room temperature for a wide range of incidence angles in a single shot. The device, being based on GaAs1-xNx, is easy to integrate into standard electronics and does not require bulky movable parts nor extra detectors. Its operation hinges mainly on two phenomena: the spin-dependent capture of electrons and the hyperfine interaction between bound electrons and nuclei on Ga2+ paramagnetic centers in GaAs1-xNx. The first phenomenon confers the device with sensitivity to the degree of circular polarization and the latter phenomenon allows one to discriminate the handedness of the incident light.