Double version of the Rashba and Dresselhaus spin-orbit coupling

TL;DR

This paper introduces a model combining Rashba and Dresselhaus spin-orbit couplings, revealing unique properties of massless Dirac fermions with potential applications in spintronics and quantum computing.

Contribution

It establishes a fundamental physics model for a double version of Rashba and Dresselhaus couplings, highlighting novel eigenspinors and persistent spin helix phenomena.

Findings

Emergence of k-independent eigenspinors at equal coupling constants

Presence of persistent spin helix in the model

Potential applications in spintronics and quantum computation

Abstract

The Rashba and Dresselhaus types of spin-orbit coupling are two typical linear coupling forms. We establish the fundamental physics of a model which can be viewed as the double version of the Rashba and Dresselhaus spin-orbit coupling. This model describes the low energy physics of a class of massless Dirac fermions in spin-orbit systems. The physical properties of the massless Dirac fermions are determined by the mathematical relations of spin-orbit coefficients. For equal Rashba and Dresselhauss coupling constants, k-independent eigenspinors and a persistent spin helix combined with massless birefringent Dirac fermions emerge in this model. The spin-orbit coupled systems described by this model have potential technological applications from spintronics to quantum computation.