Strength Of Spin-orbit Interaction Research Articles

Spin-orbit interaction effects on electronic, magnetic, and optical properties of [formula omitted]- center in a quantum dot with Gaussian confinement

In this paper, we study the binding energy, transition energy, and oscillator strength of a D0 impurity positioned at the center of a two-dimensional quantum dot. The QD is subject to a Gaussian confining potential, magnetic field, Rashba, and Dresselhaus spin-orbit interactions (SOI). The ground state and first exited state energies, and corresponding binding energies are calculated. Using the variational method with simple wave functions, transition energy, magnetic moment, and susceptibilities are obtained as a function of QD parameters, magnetic field, and SOI coupling strengths. The energies and binding energies increase with Dresselhaus SOI strength but decrease with Rashba SOI strength in a magnetic field. The magnetic moment and susceptibility of both states of a (D0) impurity show diamagnetic behaviour with both SOI strengths. Finally, we studied oscillator strength and compared the available literature, which did not consider all these effects.

Magnetic edge states and edge current in honeycomb zigzag nanoribbons by Kane–Mele–Hubbard model

We investigate spin-dependent edge states of honeycomb zigzag nanoribbons with a focus on electron–electron interaction as the origin of the initial edge magnetism which is assumed to be anti-ferromagnetism order as a stable form. We study the effect of intrinsic spin–orbit interaction (SOI) and also applied in-plane transverse electric field on low energy spectrum and edge spin density. Tight-binding method in the framework of the self-consistent Kane–Mele–Hubbard model has been utilized for exploring electronic properties. Edge currents and electric dipole moments are also calculated. Results show electric field and SOI can dramatically affect the edge states and energy gaps. A transition from a magnetic edge state to a non-magnetic one occurs at critical values of SOI and electric field. Furthermore, the system goes into the topological insulator phase at sufficiently large SOI strengths. The results of edge spin density, electric dipole moment, and spin currents indicate that one can reach the favorite spin-dependent transport by manipulating the electric field and SOI in a zigzag nanoribbon. The outcome may pave the way to further control of spin-based transport in future devices.

Perfect control of spin, valley and spin-valley-coupled currents in bilayer graphene on WSe2 magnetic junction: Effect of spin-valley dependent Fermi level and energy gap

We investigate the spin-valley dependent transport properties in a gated bilayer graphene (BG) junction placed on top of WSe2. By means of layer-dependent proximity, the spin–orbit interaction (SOI) is induced in the bottom layer, while the top layer is induced into ferromagnetism by a magnetic insulator. As a result of these differing properties, the Fermi level and energy gap become spin-valley dependent, which could lead to controllable spin- and valley-dependent filtering in the BG system. Our findings predict perfect spin-valley polarization control through gate control, given specific energy and electric field conditions, as well as spin-valley-coupled and spin currents when both the electric-field-induced energy gap and the exchange energy are equal to the SOI strength. We predict that there will be very highly sensitive gate control of −100% to + 100% of spin-valley-coupled polarization for large barrier thickness. Additionally, we predict 100% valley polarization can be controlled by the gate when the exchange energy is equal to the SOI. Furthermore, we found that the performance of the junction to control the polarizations can be enhanced by increasing the thickness of the junction. This work reveals the potential of the BG/WSe2 hybrid structure for spin-valley-current-based electronics, such as spin-, valley-, and spin-valley field-effect transistors.

Dynamical spin-orbit-based spin transistor

Spin-orbit interaction (SOI) has been a key tool to steer and manipulate spin-dependent transport properties in two-dimensional electron gases. Here we demonstrate how spin currents can be created and efficiently read out in nano- or mesoscale conductors with time-dependent and spatially inhomogeneous Rashba SOI. Invoking an underlying non-Abelian SU(2) gauge structure we show how time-periodic spin-orbit fields give rise to spin electric forces and enable the generation of pure spin currents of the order of several hundred nano-Amperes. In a complementary way, by combining gauge transformations with “hidden” Onsager relations, we exploit spatially inhomogeneous Rashba SOI to convert spin currents (back) into charge currents. In combining both concepts, we devise a spin transistor that integrates efficient spin current generation, by employing dynamical SOI, with its experimentally feasible detection via conversion into charge signals. We derive general expressions for the respective spin- and charge conductance, covering large parameter regimes of SOI strength and driving frequencies, far beyond usual adiabatic approaches such as the frozen scattering matrix approximation. We check our analytical expressions and approximations with full numerical spin-dependent transport simulations and demonstrate that the predictions hold true in a wide range from low to high driving frequencies.

Nonlinearity-Tuned Optical Spin-Orbit Interaction of Graphene-Wrapped Nanoparticles

Nonlinear control of light-matter interaction plays an important role in various optical phenomena, including spin-orbit interaction of light. In this paper, we demonstrate that the spin-orbit interaction of graphene-wrapped nanoparticles can be tuned by the input intensity of light. Typical optical bistable responses are observed in the scattering efficiency and the local electric fields. In the optical bistable regime, the strength of spin-orbit interaction in the near-field is significantly tuned in the switching-up and switching-down branches. The tunability of spin-orbit interaction enables promising nonlinear control schemes in nanophotonic devices.

First-principles theory of intrinsic spin and orbital Hall and Nernst effects in metallic monoatomic crystals

The generation of spin and orbital currents is of crucial importance in the field of spin-orbitronics. In this work, using relativistic density functional theory and the Kubo linear-response formalism, we systematically investigate the spin Hall and orbital Hall effects for 40 monoatomic metals. The spin Hall conductivity and orbital Hall conductivity (OHC) are computed as a function of the electrochemical potential and the influence of the spin-orbit interaction strength is also investigated. Our calculations predict a rather small OHC in $sp$ metals, but a much larger OHC in $d$-band metals, with maximum values $[\ensuremath{\sim}8000(\ensuremath{\hbar}/e)\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}{(\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Omega}}\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\mathrm{cm})}^{\ensuremath{-}1}]$ near the middle of the $d$ series. Using the Mott formula, we evaluate the thermal counterparts of the spin and orbital Hall effects, the spin Nernst effect (SNE), and the orbital Nernst effect (ONE). We find that the as-yet unobserved ONE is significantly larger $(\ensuremath{\sim}10\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{})$ than the SNE and has maximum values for group 10 elements (Ni, Pd, and Pt). Our work provides a broad overview of electrically and thermally induced spin and orbital transport in monoatomic metals.

Magnetoconductance Anisotropies and Aharonov-Casher Phases.

The spin-orbit interaction (SOI) is a key tool for manipulating and functionalizing spin-dependent electron transport. The desired function often depends on the SOI-generated phase that is accumulated by the wave function of an electron as it passes through the device. This phase, known as the Aharonov-Casher phase, therefore depends on both the device geometry and the SOI strength. Here, we propose a method for directly measuring the Aharonov-Casher phase generated in an SOI-active weak link, based on the Aharonov-Casher-phase dependent anisotropy of its magnetoconductance. Specifically, we consider weak links in which the Rashba interaction is caused by an external electric field, but our method is expected to apply also for other forms of the spin-orbit coupling. Measuring this magnetoconductance anisotropy thus allows calibrating Rashba spintronic devices by an external electric field that tunes the spin-orbit interaction and hence the Aharonov-Casher phase.

Chirality-Induced Spin Polarization over Macroscopic Distances in Chiral Disilicide Crystals.

A spin-polarized state is examined under charge current at room temperature without magnetic fields in chiral disilicide crystals NbSi_{2} and TaSi_{2}. We found that a long-range spin transport occurs over ten micrometers in these inorganic crystals. A distribution of crystalline grains of different handedness is obtained via location-sensitive electrical transport measurements. The sum rule holds in the conversion coefficient in the current-voltage characteristics. A diamagnetic nature of the crystals supports that the spin polarization is not due to localized electron spins but due to itinerant electron spins. A large difference in the strength of antisymmetric spin-orbit interaction associated with 4d electrons in Nb and 5d ones in Ta is oppositely correlated with that of the spin polarization. A robust protection of the spin polarization occurs over long distances in chiral crystals.

Three-quasiparticle isomers in odd-even Pm159,161 : Calling for modified spin-orbit interaction for the neutron-rich region

Neutron-rich Pm ( Z = 61 ) isotopes were studied by delayed γ -ray spectroscopy at RIBF, RIKEN Nishina Center using the in-flight fission of a 345 MeV/nucleon U 238 beam. A cluster-type Ge detector array, EURICA, was used to measure the delayed γ rays from stopped ions. Isomeric γ decays were observed in Pm 159 and Pm 161 with half-lives of 4.97(12) μ s and 0.79(4) μ s , respectively. Level schemes for Pm 159 and Pm 161 were constructed in this study. The isomeric states of Pm 159 and Pm 161 could be interpreted as two quasiparticle excitations of neutrons with the configurations of ν ( 7 / 2 [ 633 ] ⊗ 5 / 2 [ 523 ] ) and ν ( 7 / 2 [ 633 ] ⊗ 1 / 2 [ 521 ] ) , respectively. They are analogous to the isomers that have been observed systematically in other even-mass N = 98 and N = 100 isotones in this region. A projected shell model calculation was performed and it reproduced the order of three-quasiparticle states only if new Nilsson parameters with an N -dependent spin-orbit interaction were used. This work demonstrates that the strength of spin-orbit interactions in standard Nilsson parameters needs to be modified to study the properties of neutron-rich rare-earth nuclei around A = 165 , and provides new evidence supporting the existence of the deformed N = 98 subshell gap in odd-mass nuclei for the first time.

Transverse Transport in Two-Dimensional Relativistic Systems with Nontrivial Spin Textures.

Using multiple scattering theory, we show that the generally accepted expression of transverse resistivity in magnetic systems that host skyrmions, given by the linear superposition of the ordinary, the anomalous, and the topological Hall effect, is incomplete and must be amended by an additional term, the "noncollinear" Hall effect (NHE). Its angular form is determined by the magnetic texture, the spin-orbit field of the electrons, and the underlying crystal structure, allowing us to disentangle the NHE from the various other Hall contributions. Its magnitude is proportional to the spin-orbit interaction strength. The NHE is an essential term required for decoding two- and three-dimensional spin textures from transport experiments.

Enhancing the Magnetic and Magneto-optical Properties of Praseodymium-substituted Bi-YIG Thin Film on Glass Substrate Prepared by Metal-organic Decomposition

Praseodymium (Pr)- and bismuth (Bi)-substituted yttrium (Y) iron (Fe) garnet (PrSUBx/SUBYSUB2-x/SUBBi₁FeSUB5/SUBOSUB12/SUB where x = 0.25, 0.5, 1, and 2) thin films were prepared on glass substrate using a metal-organic decomposition (MOD) method. Their magneto-optical properties were studied as a function of Pr concentration. Praseodymium has two functions in PrSUBx/SUBYSUB2-x/SUBBi₁FeSUB5/SUBOSUB12/SUB thin films, i.e., it (i) improves spin-orbit interaction strength and (ii) increases magnetic properties; both are expected to strongly enhance the Faraday rotation (FR) angle of the thin film. Our study demonstrated that the Pr₁Y₁Bi₁FeSUB5/SUBOSUB12/SUB thin-film displayed the highest FR angle, of –13 °/μm, which is 1.6-times higher than that of the PrSUBx/SUBYSUB2-x/SUBBi₁FeSUB5/SUBOSUB12/SUB thin film without Pr dopant. The Pr₁Bi₁Y₁FeSUB5/SUBOSUB12/SUB thin film fabricated on a glass substrate by the MOD method displayed excellent MO performance and is a potential candidate for application in optical devices.

Tunable spin Hall shift of light from graphene-wrapped spheres.

Graphene has taken impressive roles in light manipulation and optical engineering. The most attractive advantage of graphene is its tunable conductivity that could be dynamically modulated by various means. In this paper, we show that the spin Hall shift of light is dynamically tunable via changing the Fermi level of the graphene-wrapped spheres. Such tunability is prominent when different modes interfere with each other, such as at the interference of electric and magnetic dipolar modes or at the interference of electric dipolar and electric quadrupole modes. The circular polarization degree in the near field clearly demonstrates the strength of spin-orbit interaction, which is associated with spin Hall shift of light in the far-field. In addition, the spin Hall effect is shown in far-field detection plane and should be observed in experiment. Our results provide insights into how the spin Hall effect could be tuned and add new perspective in designing optical super-resolution imaging techniques.

Spin orbit effect in a quantum dot confined in a Kratzer potential

In the present work, we investigate the effect of a laser field on the multiphoton excitation of a 2-D quantum dot with the Kratzer potential under the influence of an external magnetic field. The energy spectrum of the system is studied in the presence of the Rashba and the Dresselhaus spin orbit couplings. Using numerical methods, we solve the Schrödinger equation and obtain energy eigenvalues as a function of the confinement parameters, the magnetic field and the spin orbit interaction strength. In the presence of the laser field, the dynamics of system is studied in terms of spin flip and multiphoton transitions. Additionally, the probability current density of the system is studied and we show that it strongly depends on the laser parameters and the spin orbit interaction. The results show how one can use the laser parameters as means to control the spin states.

Strong spin-orbit interaction and g -factor renormalization of hole spins in Ge/Si nanowire quantum dots

The spin-orbit interaction lies at the heart of quantum computation with spin qubits, research on topologically non-trivial states, and various applications in spintronics. Hole spins in Ge/Si core/shell nanowires experience a spin-orbit interaction that has been predicted to be both strong and electrically tunable, making them a particularly promising platform for research in these fields. We experimentally determine the strength of spin-orbit interaction of hole spins confined to a double quantum dot in a Ge/Si nanowire by measuring spin-mixing transitions inside a regime of spin-blockaded transport. We find a remarkably short spin-orbit length of $\sim$65 nm, comparable to the quantum dot length and the interdot distance. We additionally observe a large orbital effect of the applied magnetic field on the hole states, resulting in a large magnetic field dependence of the spin-mixing transition energies. Strikingly, together with these orbital effects, the strong spin-orbit interaction causes a significant enhancement of the $g$-factor with magnetic field.The large spin-orbit interaction strength demonstrated is consistent with the predicted direct Rashba spin-orbit interaction in this material system and is expected to enable ultrafast Rabi oscillations of spin qubits and efficient qubit-qubit interactions, as well as provide a platform suitable for studying Majorana zero modes.

Chiral Induced Spin Selectivity as a Spontaneous Intertwined Order.

Chiral induced spin selectivity (CISS) describes efficient spin filtering by chiral molecules. This phenomenon has led to nanoscale manipulation of quantum spins with promising applications to spintronics and quantum computing, since its discovery nearly two decades ago. However, its underlying mechanism still remains mysterious for the required spin-orbit interaction (SOI) strength is unexpectedly large. Here we report a multi-orbital theory for CISS, where an effective SOI emerges from spontaneous formation of electron-hole pairing caused by many-body correlation. This mechanism produces a strong SOI reaching the energy scale of room temperature, which could support the large spin polarization observed in CISS. One central ingredient of our theory is the Wannier functions of the valence and conduction bands correspond, respectively, to one- and two-dimensional representation of the spatial rotation symmetry around the molecule elongation direction. The induced SOI strength is found to decrease when the band gap increases. Our theory may provide important guidance for searching other molecules with CISS effects.

Highly nonlinear frequency-dependent spin-wave resonance excited via spin-vorticity coupling

A nonuniform vorticity of lattice deformation in a surface acoustic wave (SAW) can generate a spin current (SC) in nonmagnetic metals via spin-vorticity coupling (SVC). We demonstrated a strong enhancement of SVC-derived SC generated in Cu and Pt films with increasing the frequency of the SAW by observing the spin-wave resonance (SWR) in an adjacent NiFe film. The comparative amplitudes and high-order frequency variations of SWR in NiFe/Cu and NiFe/Pt bilayers imply that the amplitude of the SC generated via SVC in a SAW is robust against the strength of spin-orbit interaction in nonmagnetic metals.

Thermoelectricity carried by proximity-induced odd-frequency pairing in ferromagnet/superconductor junctions

We explore the role of proximity-induced odd-frequency pairing in the thermoelectricity of a ferromagnet when coupled to a conventional $s$-wave spin-singlet superconductor through a spin-active interface. By varying both the polarization and its direction in the ferromagnet and the interfacial spin-orbit interaction strength, we analyze the behavior of all proximity-induced pair amplitudes in the ferromagnet and their contributions to the thermoelectric coefficients. Based on our results for the Seebeck coefficient, we predict that odd-frequency spin-triplet Cooper pairs are much efficient than the conventional spin-singlet even-frequency pairs in enhancing thermoelectricity of the junction, especially mixed-spin triplet pairing is favorable. Our results on the thermoelectric figure of merit show that ferromagnet/superconductor junctions are very good thermoelectric systems when superconductivity is dominated by odd-frequency pairing.

Skyrmionic order and magnetically induced polarization change in lacunar spinel compounds GaV4S8 and GaMo4S8 : Comparative theoretical study

We show how low-energy electronic models derived from the first-principles electronic structure calculations can help to rationalize the magnetic properties of two lacunar spinel compounds GaM4S8 with light (M=V) and heavy (M=Mo) transition-metal elements, which are responsible for different spin-orbit interaction strength. In the model, each magnetic lattice point was associated with the M4S4 molecule, and the model itself was formulated in the basis of molecular Wannier functions constructed for three magnetic t2 bands. The effects of rhombohedral distortion, spin-orbit interaction, band filling, and the screening of Coulomb interactions in the t2 bands are discussed in details. The electronic model is further treated in the superexchange approximation, which allows us to derive an effective spin model for the energy and electric polarization ($P$) depending on the relative orientation of spins in the bonds, and study the properties of this model by means of classical Monte Carlo simulations with the emphasis on the possible formation of the skyrmionic phase. While isotropic exchange interactions clearly dominate in GaV4S8, all types of interactions -- isotropic, antisymmetric, and symmetric anisotropic -- are comparable in the case of GaMo4S8. Particularly, large uniaxial exchange anisotropy has a profound effect on the properties of GaMo4S8. On the one hand, it raises the Curie temperature by opening a gap in the spectrum of magnon excitations. On the other hand, it strongly affects the skyrmionic phase by playing the role of a molecular field, which facilitates the formation of skyrmions, but makes them relatively insensitive to the external magnetic field in the large part of the phase diagram. We predict reversal of the magnetic dependence of $P$ in the case of GaMo4S8 caused by the reversal of direction of the rhombohedral distortion.

Analytical Criteria for Magnetization Reversal in a φ0 Josephson Junction

The switching of magnetization by electric current pulse in the ${\ensuremath{\varphi}}_{0}$ Josephson junction formed by ordinary superconductors and a magnetic noncentrosymmetric interlayer is studied. The ground state of this junction is characterized by the finite phase difference ${\ensuremath{\varphi}}_{0}$, which is proportional to the strength of the spin-orbit interaction and the exchange field in the normal metal. Based on the Landau-Lifshits-Gilbert and resistively shunted junction model equations we build an analytical description of the magnetization dynamics induced by an arbitrary current pulse. We formulate the criteria for magnetization reversal and, using the obtained results, the form and duration of the current pulse are optimized. The analytical and numerical results are in excellent agreement at $Gr{I}_{p}\ensuremath{\gg}1$, where $G$ is a Josephson-to-magnetic energy ratio, $r$ is a strength of spin-orbit interaction, and ${I}_{p}$ is a value of the current pulse. The analytical result allows one to predict magnetization reversal at the chosen system parameters and explains the features of magnetization reversal in the $G$-$r$ and $G$-$\ensuremath{\alpha}$ diagrams, where $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ is the Gilbert damping. We propose to use such a ${\ensuremath{\varphi}}_{0}$ Josephson junction as a memory element, with the information encoded in the magnetization direction of the ferromagnetic layer.

Engineering the spin–orbit interaction in surface conducting diamond with a solid-state gate dielectric

Hydrogen-terminated (H-terminated) diamond, when surface transfer doped, can support a sub-surface two-dimensional (2D) hole band that possesses a strong Rashba-type spin–orbit interaction. By incorporating a V2O5/Al2O3 bilayer gate dielectric in a diamond-based metal–oxide–semiconductor architecture, metallic surface conductivity can be maintained at low temperature, avoiding the carrier freeze out exhibited by devices with an Al2O3 gate dielectric alone. Hole densities of up to 2.5 × 1013 cm−2 are achieved by the electrostatic gating of the device, and the spin–orbit interaction strength can be tuned from 3.5 ± 0.5 meV to 8.4 ± 0.5 meV, with a concurrent reduction in the spin coherence length from 40 ± 1 nm to 27 ± 1 nm. The demonstration of a gated device architecture on the H-terminated that avoids the need to cycle the temperature, as is required for ionic liquid gating protocols, opens a pathway to engineering practical devices for the study and application of spin transport in diamond.