Weak anti-localization in spin-orbit coupled lattice systems: effect of non-adiabatic transitions and estimation of spin relaxation length

TL;DR

This paper explores how non-adiabatic transitions influence weak anti-localization in spin-orbit coupled systems, providing insights into spin relaxation length estimation and its dependence on impurity scattering effects.

Contribution

It introduces a model considering non-adiabatic transitions in SOC systems and analyzes their impact on WAL, extending understanding beyond traditional HLN theory.

Findings

Non-adiabatic transitions suppress WAL effect.

WAL strongly depends on spin relaxation length.

Estimation of spin relaxation length in Bi thin films.

Abstract

This study investigates the quantum correction effect on electrical conductivity using a two-dimensional Wolff Hamiltonian, which is an effective model of the spin-orbit coupling (SOC) lattice system. The non-adiabatic transition processes in impurity scattering suppress the weak anti-localization (WAL) effect. The WAL effect in the SOC lattice system strongly depends on the spin relaxation length when compared with the Hikami-Larkin-Nagaoka (HLN) theory. The spin relaxation length in Bi thin film is discussed.