Spin Dependent Joule Heating due to Rashba Coupling and Zitterbewegung

TL;DR

This paper explores how Rashba spin-orbit coupling causes spin-dependent Joule heating in quantum wells, revealing a novel effect linked to spin resonance and Zitterbewegung with potential implications for spintronics.

Contribution

It introduces the concept of spin-dependent Joule heating due to Rashba coupling and demonstrates its dependence on experimental geometry in quantum wells.

Findings

Identification of a spin-dependent component of Joule heating at spin resonance

Observation of geometry-dependent ESR line shape and amplitude

Evidence of negative differential power absorption

Abstract

Investigating microwave absorption in asymmetric Si quantum wells in an external magnetic field, we discover a spin dependent component of Joule heating at spin resonance. We explain this effect in terms of Rashba spin-orbit coupling which results in a current induced spin precession and Zitterbewegung. Evidence is based on the observation of a specific dependence of the electron spin resonance line shape and its amplitude on the experimental geometry which in some range suggests a "negative" differential power absorption.