Dynamic Generation of Spin-Orbit Coupling

Congjun Wu and Shou-Cheng Zhang
Phys. Rev. Lett. 93, 036403 – Published 15 July 2004

Abstract

Spin-orbit coupling plays an important role in determining the properties of solids, and is crucial for spintronics device applications. Conventional spin-orbit coupling arises microscopically from relativistic effects described by the Dirac equation, and is described as a single particle band effect. In this work, we propose a new mechanism in which spin-orbit coupling can be generated dynamically in strongly correlated, nonrelativistic systems as the result of Fermi surface instabilities in higher angular momentum channels. Various spin-orbit couplings can emerge in these new phases, and their magnitudes can be continuously tuned by temperature or other quantum parameters.

  • Figure
  • Received 24 December 2003

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.93.036403

©2004 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Congjun Wu and Shou-Cheng Zhang

  • Department of Physics, McCullough Building, Stanford University, Stanford California 94305-4045, USA

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Issue

Vol. 93, Iss. 3 — 16 July 2004

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