Tunable spin Hall effect by Stern-Gerlach diffraction

Abstract

We propose a new effect based on simultaneous real- and reciprocal-space magnetic inhomogeneities, combining features of the Stern-Gerlach and both the intrinsic and extrinsic spin Hall effects. Spin currents undergo asymmetric diffraction that can be produced by an array of spin-orbit-coupled quantum dots or patterned external electric fields. The system has wide tunability, allowing formation of a periodic spin lattice distinct from the charge lattice, selective polarization flipping, or spin current detector. Similar effects may be produced by photons and neutrons.