Equilibrium edge spin currents in two-dimensional electron systems with spin-orbit interaction

TL;DR

This paper uncovers a mechanism for equilibrium background spin currents in two-dimensional electron systems with nonuniform spin-orbit interaction, revealing edge currents that surpass bulk currents and are polarized normally to the boundary.

Contribution

It introduces a specific mechanism for equilibrium spin currents in 2D electron systems with spatially varying spin-orbit interaction, especially at interfaces.

Findings

Edge spin currents flow tangentially along boundaries.

Edge current density exceeds bulk spin current density.

Spin currents are polarized normally to the boundary.

Abstract

We find a specific mechanism of background spin currents in two-dimensional electron systems with spatially nonuniform spin-orbit interaction (SOI) at thermodynamic equilibrium, in particular, in the systems consisting of regions with and without SOI. The spin density flows tangentially to the boundary in the normal and SOI regions within a layer of the width determined by the SOI strength. The density of these edge currents significantly exceeds the bulk spin current density. The spin current is polarized normally to the boundary. The spatial distribution of equilibrium spin currents is investigated in detail in the case of a step-like variation of the SOI strength and potential at the interface.