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Unitarity of scattering and edge spin accumulation

Publication date2013
Abstract

We consider a two-dimensional (2D) ballistic and quasiballistic structures with spin-orbit-related splitting of the electron spectrum. The ballistic region is attached to the leads with a voltage applied between them. We calculate the edge spin density which arises in the presence of a charge current through the structure. We solve the problem with the use of the method of scattering states and clarify the important role of the unitarity of scattering. In the case of a straight boundary it leads to exact cancellation of long-wavelength oscillations of the spin density. In general, however, the smooth spin oscillations with the spin precession length may arise, as it happens, e.g., for the wiggly boundary. We show that there is no relation between spin current in the bulk and the edge spin density.

Citation (ISO format)
KHAETSKII, Alexander, SUKHORUKOV, Eugene. Unitarity of scattering and edge spin accumulation. In: Physical review. B, Condensed matter and materials physics, 2013, vol. 87, n° 7. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevB.87.075303
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ISSN of the journal1098-0121
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