Abstract
Inversion-asymmetry-induced spin splitting of the electron states in quasi-two-dimensional (quasi-2D) systems can be attributed to an effective magnetic field which varies in magnitude and orientation as a function of the in-plane wave vector Using a realistic Kane model that fully takes into account spin splitting because of both bulk inversion asymmetry and structure inversion asymmetry we investigate the spin orientation and the effective field for different configurations of a quasi-2D electron system. It is shown that these quantities depend sensitively on the crystallographic direction in which the quasi-2D system was grown as well as on the magnitude and orientation of the in-plane wave vector These results are used to discuss how spin-polarized electrons can precess in the field As a specific example we consider quantum wells.
- Received 13 May 2003
- Corrected 11 February 2004
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.69.045317
©2004 American Physical Society
Corrections
11 February 2004