Spin edge states: an exact solution and oscillations of the spin current

TL;DR

This paper presents an exact solution for spin edge states in a 2D electron system with spin-orbit interaction and magnetic field, revealing oscillations in spin current useful for spintronic control.

Contribution

It provides an exact analytical solution for spin edge states considering SOI and magnetic field, and predicts oscillations in spin current for the first time.

Findings

Spin-resolved edge states are spatially separated.

Spin current exhibits oscillations with Fermi energy.

Oscillation period depends on SOI-renormalized cyclotron energy.

Abstract

We study the spin edge states, induced by the combined effect of spin-orbit interaction (SOI) and hard-wall confining potential, in a two-dimensional electron system, exposed to a perpendicular magnetic field. We find an exact solution of the problem and show that the spin resolved edge states are separated in space. The SOI generated rearrangement of the spectrum results in a peaked behavior of the net spin current versus the Fermi energy. The predicted oscillations of the spin current with a period, determined by the SOI renormalized cyclotron energy, can serve as an effective tool for controlling the spin motion in spintronic devices.