Spin polarization of electrons by non-magnetic heterostructures : basics of spin-optics

TL;DR

This paper explores how non-magnetic heterostructures with varying spin-orbit interactions can be used to generate and control electron spin polarization in two-dimensional semiconductor systems, advancing spin-optics techniques.

Contribution

It introduces a method to achieve electron spin polarization using lateral interfaces with different spin-orbit strengths in semiconductor heterostructures.

Findings

Electrons split into spin-polarized components at interfaces with different spin-orbit interactions.

Refraction at the interface can be used to control electron spin direction.

Basic schemes for spin filtration and manipulation are outlined.

Abstract

We propose to use the lateral interface between two regions with different strengths of the spin-orbit interaction(s) to spin-polarize the electrons in gated two dimensional semiconductor heterostructures. For a beam with a non zero angle of incidence the transmitted electrons will split into two spin polarization components propagating at different angles. We analyze the refraction at such an interface and outline the basic schemes for filtration and control of the electron spin.