Abstract
The Rashba and Dresselhaus spin-orbit interactions are both shown to yield the low temperature spin-Hall effect for strongly localized electrons coupled to phonons. A frequency-dependent electric field generates a spin-polarization current, normal to , due to interference of hopping paths. At zero temperature the corresponding spin-Hall conductivity is real and is proportional to . At nonzero temperatures the coupling to the phonons yields an imaginary term proportional to . The interference also yields persistent spin currents at thermal equilibrium, at . The contributions from the Dresselhaus and Rashba interactions to the interference oppose each other.
- Received 19 February 2005
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.95.086603
©2005 American Physical Society