Enhanced photogalvanic effect in graphene due to Rashba spin-orbit coupling

TL;DR

This paper theoretically investigates how Rashba spin-orbit coupling enhances the photogalvanic effect in graphene, revealing a highly efficient resonant current generation mechanism influenced by an in-plane magnetic field.

Contribution

It introduces a theoretical model showing the enhancement of the photogalvanic effect in graphene with Rashba spin-orbit coupling under an external magnetic field.

Findings

Resonant-like photogalvanic effect occurs in a narrow frequency range.

Less efficient effect observed over a broader frequency range.

Magnetic field critically influences current generation mechanism.

Abstract

We analyze theoretically optical generation of a spin-polarized charge current (photogalvanic effect) and spin polarization in graphene with Rashba spin-orbit coupling. An external magnetic field is applied in the graphene plane, which plays a crucial role in the mechanism of current generation. We predict a highly efficient resonant-like photogalvanic effect in a narrow frequency range which is determined by the magnetic field. A relatively less efficient photogalvanic effect appears in a broader frequency range, determined by the electron concentration and spin-orbit coupling strength.