Spin-selective localization due to intrinsic spin-orbit coupling

TL;DR

This paper investigates how tunable spin-orbit interactions influence spin-dependent electron localization in two-dimensional systems, revealing control mechanisms for spin-selective localization via magnetic fields and SO coupling modulation.

Contribution

It introduces a covariant curvature framework to describe spin precession effects on quantum interference, enabling control of spin-dependent localization in 2D electron systems.

Findings

Weak magnetic fields can selectively control electron localization for different spin orientations.

Modulating spin-orbit coupling strength affects the quantum interference and localization behavior.

Spin-quantization axes can be engineered through SO interaction gradients.

Abstract

We study spin-dependent diffusive transport in the presence of a tunable spin-orbit (SO) interaction in a two-dimensional electron system. The spin precession of an electron in the SO coupling field is expressed in terms of a covariant curvature, affecting the quantum interference between different electronic trajectories. Controlling this curvature field by modulating the SO coupling strength and its gradients by, e.g., electric or elastic means, opens intriguing possibilities for exploring spin-selective localization physics. In particular, applying a weak magnetic field allows the control of the electron localization independently for two spin directions, with the spin-quantization axis that could be "engineered" by appropriate SO interaction gradients.