Weak localization and conductance fluctuations in a quantum dot with parallel magnetic field and spin-orbit scattering

Abstract

In the presence of both spin-orbit scattering and a magnetic field the conductance of a chaotic GaAs quantum dot displays quite a rich behavior. Using a Hamiltonian derived by Aleiner and Fal'ko [Phys. Rev. Lett. 87, 256801 (2001)] we calculate the weak localization correction and the covariance of the conductance, as a function of parallel and perpendicular magnetic field and spin-orbit coupling strength. We also show how the combination of an in-plane magnetic field and spin-orbit scattering gives rise to a component to the magnetoconductance that is antisymmetric with respect to reversal of the perpendicular component of the magnetic field and how spin-orbit scattering leads to a ``magnetic-field echo'' in the conductance autocorrelation function. Our results can be used for a measurement of the Dresselhaus and Bychkov-Rashba spin-orbit scattering lengths in a GaAs/GaAlAs heterostructure.