Intrinsic contribution to spin Hall and spin Nernst effects in a bilayer graphene

Abstract

We consider intrinsic contributions to the spin Hall and spin Nernst effects in a bilayer graphene. The relevant electronic spectrum is obtained from the tight binding Hamiltonian, which also includes the intrinsic spin–orbit interaction. The corresponding spin Hall and spin Nernst conductivities are compared with those obtained from effective low-energy k ⋅p and reduced Hamiltonians, which are appropriate for states in the vicinity of the Fermi level of a neutral bilayer graphene. Both conductivities are determined within the linear response theory and Green function formalism. The influence of an external voltage between the two atomic sheets is also considered. The results reveal a transition from the topological spin Hall insulator phase at low voltages to conventional insulator phase at larger voltages.