Influence of impurity-induced spin–orbit scattering on persistent spin helix

Abstract

The persistent spin helix discovered in intrinsic spin–orbit coupled systems previously is reexamined using the motion equations of Green's functions by considering the effect of extrinsic impurity-induced spin–orbit coupling. We find both the intrinsic and extrinsic spin–orbit couplings can increase the excitation energy of spin helix. They together can reduce drastically the lifetime of the spin helix, making it severely departure from the ideal infinite value. The effect of impurity density on spin helix is also analyzed. The results may be helpful to understand experimental measurements on spin helix.