Generation of Spin Currents and Spin Densities in Systems with Reduced Symmetry

Dimitrie Culcer and R. Winkler
Phys. Rev. Lett. 99, 226601 – Published 26 November 2007; Erratum Phys. Rev. Lett. 99, 239902 (2007)

Abstract

We show that the spin-current response of a semiconductor crystal to an external electric field is considerably more complex than previously assumed. While in systems of high symmetry only the spin-Hall components are allowed, in systems of lower symmetry other non-spin-Hall components may be present. We argue that, when spin-orbit interactions are present only in the band structure, the distinction between intrinsic and extrinsic contributions to the spin current is not useful. We show that the generation of spin currents and that of spin densities in an electric field are closely related, and that our general theory provides a systematic way to distinguish between them in experiment. We discuss also the meaning of vertex corrections in systems with spin-orbit interactions.

  • Received 18 May 2007
  • Corrected 27 November 2007

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.99.226601

©2007 American Physical Society

Corrections

27 November 2007

Erratum

Authors & Affiliations

Dimitrie Culcer and R. Winkler

  • Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois 60439, USA
  • Northern Illinois University, De Kalb, Illinois 60115, USA

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Issue

Vol. 99, Iss. 22 — 30 November 2007

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