Photon-assisted spin transport in a two-dimensional electron gas

M. V. Fistul and K. B. Efetov
Phys. Rev. B 76, 195329 – Published 27 November 2007

Abstract

We study spin-dependent transport in a two-dimensional electron gas subjected to an external steplike potential V(x) and irradiated by an electromagnetic field (EF). In the absence of EF, the electronic spectrum splits into spin subbands originating from the “Rashba” spin-orbit coupling. We show that the resonant interaction of propagating electrons with the component EF parallel to the barrier induces a nonequilibrium dynamic gap (2ΔR) between the spin subbands. Existence of this gap results in coherent spin-flip processes that lead to a spin-polarized current and a large magnetoresistance, i.e., the spin-valve effect. These effects may be used for controlling spin transport in semiconducting nanostructures, e.g., spin transistors, spin-blockade devices, etc., by variation of the intensity S and frequency ω of the external radiation.

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  • Received 30 July 2007

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.76.195329

©2007 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

M. V. Fistul1 and K. B. Efetov1,2

  • 1Theoretische Physik III, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, D-44801 Bochum, Germany
  • 2L. D. Landau Institute for Theoretical Physics, 117940 Moscow, Russia

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Issue

Vol. 76, Iss. 19 — 15 November 2007

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