Intrinsic and Rashba spin-orbit interactions in graphene sheets

Hongki Min, J. E. Hill, N. A. Sinitsyn, B. R. Sahu, Leonard Kleinman, and A. H. MacDonald
Phys. Rev. B 74, 165310 – Published 9 October 2006

Abstract

Starting from a microscopic tight-binding model and using second-order perturbation theory, we derive explicit expressions for the intrinsic and Rashba spin-orbit interaction induced gaps in the Dirac-like low-energy band structure of an isolated graphene sheet. The Rashba interaction parameter is first order in the atomic carbon spin-orbit coupling strength ξ and first order in the external electric field E perpendicular to the graphene plane, whereas the intrinsic spin-orbit interaction which survives at E=0 is second order in ξ. The spin-orbit terms in the low-energy effective Hamiltonian have the form proposed recently by Kane and Mele. Ab initio electronic structure calculations were performed as a partial check on the validity of the tight-binding model.

    • Received 20 June 2006

    DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.74.165310

    ©2006 American Physical Society

    Authors & Affiliations

    Hongki Min*, J. E. Hill, N. A. Sinitsyn, B. R. Sahu, Leonard Kleinman, and A. H. MacDonald

    • Department of Physics, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, USA

    • *Electronic address: hongki@physics.utexas.edu

    Article Text (Subscription Required)

    Click to Expand

    References (Subscription Required)

    Click to Expand
    Issue

    Vol. 74, Iss. 16 — 15 October 2006

    Reuse & Permissions
    Access Options
    Author publication services for translation and copyediting assistance advertisement

    Authorization Required


    ×
    ×

    Images

    ×

    Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review B

    Log In

    Cancel
    ×

    Search


    Article Lookup

    Paste a citation or DOI

    Enter a citation
    ×