Electron Spin Current and Spin-Dependent Galvanomagnetic Phenomena in Metals

Abstract

A system of coupled kinetic equations for the electron density and spin density distribution functions has been obtained based on the quantum kinetic equation. The collision integrals in the kinetic equations are written for an arbitrary scattering potential, taking into account the spin-orbit interaction of conduction electrons with scattering defects. As applied to the spin system of conduction electrons, the idea of a “reduced” description of transport phenomena is developed. The description of the system in terms of distribution functions depending on the quasi-momentum of electrons reduces to a description in terms of macroscopic mean quantities: electron density, spin density, electron flux, and spin current.