Properties of the spin-momentum locked state

Abstract

Spin-momentum locking is becoming a cornerstone for the understanding and applications of novel condensed matter systems. Here we assume that it holds locally in position space and from it predict the existence of a local magnetic field. Although residual, this local magnetic field is important because it brings the topological stability that transforms particles into quasi-particles. The present approach shows that the Rashba term is already contained in the Schrödinger kinetic energy and a Dirac linear spectrum can be obtained without invoking a Dirac equation for the particles.