The spinor Boltzmann equation with Rashba spin–orbit coupling

Abstract

Based on Kadanoff–Baym’s nonequilibrium Green function theory, we derive the spinor Boltzmann equation with Rashba spin–orbit coupling in the crystal with asymmetric intrinsic electric field, the continuity equations satisfied by the charge density and charge current, spin accumulation and spin current are then obtained. In order to demonstrate the influence of spin–orbit coupling to these observables, we calculate the spin-dependent transport through a two-dimensional electron gas applied by a bias, the numerical results indicate the influences of spin–orbit coupling.