Spin-orbit interaction controlled properties of two-dimensional superlattices: Spintronic crystals

TL;DR

This paper investigates how spin-orbit interaction influences the electronic band structure and conductance in two-dimensional superlattices, revealing tunable properties relevant for spintronic applications.

Contribution

It introduces a detailed analysis of spin-orbit interaction effects on band structures and conductance in 2D superlattices, highlighting tunability via external gate voltages.

Findings

Energy band shapes depend on superlattice geometry and SOI strength.

Conductance properties can be predicted from spin-dependent band diagrams.

External gate voltages can tune the SOI effects in these structures.

Abstract

The band structure of two-dimensional artificial superlattices in the presence of (Rashba-type) spin-orbit interaction (SOI) is presented. The position and shape of the energy bands in these spintronic crystals depend on the geometry as well as the strength of the SOI, which can be tuned by external gate voltages. For finite mesoscopic arrays we show that their conductance properties can be understood from these spin-dependent band diagrams.