Polarized electric current in semiclassical transport with spin-orbit interaction

P. G. Silvestrov and E. G. Mishchenko
Phys. Rev. B 74, 165301 – Published 3 October 2006

Abstract

Semiclassical solutions of two-dimensional Schrödinger equation with spin-orbit interaction and smooth potential are considered. In the leading order, spin polarization is in-plane and follows the evolution of the electron momentum for a given subband. Out-of-plane spin polarization appears as a quantum correction, for which an explicit expression is obtained. We demonstrate how spin-polarized currents can be achieved with the help of a barrier or quantum point contact open for transmission only in the lower subband.

    • Received 7 February 2006

    DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.74.165301

    ©2006 American Physical Society

    Authors & Affiliations

    P. G. Silvestrov1,2 and E. G. Mishchenko3

    • 1Instituut-Lorentz, Universiteit Leiden, P.O. Box 9506, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands
    • 2Theoretische Physik III, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, 44780 Bochum, Germany
    • 3Department of Physics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, USA

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    Issue

    Vol. 74, Iss. 16 — 15 October 2006

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