Spin-orbit-driven electron pairing in two dimensions

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that strong spin-orbit interaction in two-dimensional quantum wells can induce attractive forces between electrons, leading to bound states with potential for observable binding energies.

Contribution

It reveals a mechanism where spin-orbit interaction causes electron pairing in 2D systems, identifying two distinct bound state types and their properties.

Findings

Spin-orbit interaction can produce attractive electron interactions.

Two types of bound states are identified: relative and convective.

Binding energies in the meV range are feasible under realistic conditions.

Abstract

We show that the spin-orbit interaction (SOI) arising due to the in-plane electric field of the Coulomb repulsion between electrons in a two-dimensional quantum well produces an attractive component in the pair interaction Hamiltonian that depends on the spins and momenta of electrons. If the Rashba SOI constant of the material is high enough the attractive component overcomes the Coulomb repulsion and the centrifugal barrier, which leads to the formation of the two-electron bound states. There are two distinct types of two-electron bound states. The relative bound states are formed by the electrons orbiting around their common barycenter. They have the triplet spin structure and are independent of the center-of-mass momentum. In contrast, the convective bound states are formed because of the center-of-mass motion, which couples the electrons with opposite spins. The binding energy in the meV range is attainable for realistic conditions.