Unconventional low-field magnetic response of a diffusive ring with spin-orbit coupling

TL;DR

This paper investigates the unusual electron transport behavior at zero magnetic flux in disordered rings with Rashba spin-orbit coupling, revealing enhanced circulating currents and conductivity compared to perfect rings.

Contribution

It uncovers the unconventional low-field magnetic response of disordered rings with spin-orbit coupling, highlighting increased current and conductivity in such systems.

Findings

Higher circulating current in disordered rings at zero flux

Enhanced electrical conductivity due to spin-orbit coupling

Verification through Drude weight analysis

Abstract

We report an unconventional behavior of electron transport in the limit of zero magnetic flux in a one-dimensional disordered ring, be it completely random or any correlated one, subjected to Rashba spin-orbit (SO) coupling. It exhibits much higher circulating current compared to a fully perfect ring for a wide range of SO coupling yielding larger electrical conductivity which is clearly verified from our Drude weight analysis.