Spin-polarized reflection of electrons in a two-dimensional electron system

TL;DR

This paper introduces a method to generate spin-polarized electron beams in a 2D system using spin-orbit interaction and lithographic barriers, confirmed by experimental data.

Contribution

The study demonstrates a novel approach to produce spin-polarized electron beams through scattering in a 2D system with spin-orbit coupling, supported by experimental validation.

Findings

Creation of fully spin-polarized side beams from unpolarized electrons

Experimental confirmation of spin-polarized reflection in InSb/InAlSb heterostructures

Theoretical predictions match experimental magnetotransport data

Abstract

We present a method to create spin-polarized beams of ballistic electrons in a two-dimensional electron system in the presence of spin-orbit interaction. Scattering of a spin-unpolarized injected beam from a lithographic barrier leads to the creation of two fully spin-polarized side beams, in addition to an unpolarized specularly reflected beam. Experimental magnetotransport data on InSb/InAlSb heterostructures demonstrate the spin-polarized reflection in a mesoscopic geometry, and confirm our theoretical predictions.