Spin-resolved scattering through spin-orbit nanostructures in graphene

TL;DR

This paper investigates how spin-resolved electrons scatter through nanostructures with varying spin-orbit coupling in graphene, revealing spin-double refraction effects and edge state spectra at interfaces.

Contribution

It provides a detailed analysis of spin-dependent scattering and edge states in graphene with inhomogeneous spin-orbit coupling, a novel exploration of spin transport phenomena.

Findings

Identification of spin-double refraction effects.

Analysis of transmission and polarization at interfaces.

Spectrum characterization of edge states.

Abstract

We address the problem of spin-resolved scattering through spin-orbit nanostructures in graphene, i.e., regions of inhomogeneous spin-orbit coupling on the nanometer scale. We discuss the phenomenon of spin-double refraction and its consequences on the spin polarization. Specifically, we study the transmission properties of a single and a double interface between a normal region and a region with finite spin-orbit coupling, and analyze the polarization properties of these systems. Moreover, for the case of a single interface, we determine the spectrum of edge states localized at the boundary between the two regions and study their properties.