Pure spin current generated by reflection at a normal metal/two-dimensional electron gas interface

Jacob Linder, Takehito Yokoyama, and Asle Sudbø
Phys. Rev. B 81, 075312 – Published 17 February 2010

Abstract

The concept of a spin current is a useful tool in understanding spin transport in hybrid systems but its very definition is problematic in systems where spin-orbit coupling effects are strong. In the absence of spin-dependent scattering, the spin current remains well defined. We here propose a method for generating pure spin currents in a normal metal where the spin current consequently does not suffer from the aforementioned problems pertaining to its very definition or spin-relaxation processes. More specifically, we show how an unpolarized incident charge current can induce a pure transverse spin current by means of scattering at a normal metal/two-dimensional electron gas interface. This occurs for both Rashba and Dresselhaus spin-orbit coupling. An experimental setup for observation of this effect is proposed.

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  • Received 14 October 2009

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.81.075312

©2010 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Jacob Linder1, Takehito Yokoyama2, and Asle Sudbø1

  • 1Department of Physics, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, N-7491 Trondheim, Norway
  • 2Department of Applied Physics, University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan

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Issue

Vol. 81, Iss. 7 — 15 February 2010

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