Generation of Spin Current from Lattice Distortion Dynamics: Spin–Orbit Routes

Abstract

Generation of spin current from lattice distortion dynamics in metals is studied with special attention on the effect of spin-orbit coupling. Treating the lattice distortion by local coordinate transformation, we calculate spin current and spin accumulation with the linear response theory. It is found that there are two routes to the spin-current generation, one via the spin Hall effect and the other via the spin accumulation. The present effect due to spin-orbit coupling can be comparable to, or even larger than, the one based on the spin-vorticity coupling in systems with strong spin-orbit coupling.