Spin transverse force on spin current in an electric field

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that a relativistic quantum effect causes a transverse force on electron spins in an electric field, influencing spin currents and related phenomena like the charge Hall effect in semiconductors.

Contribution

It introduces the concept of a spin-dependent transverse force analogous to the Lorentz force, explaining its role in spin dynamics and spin Hall effects.

Findings

Electric field exerts a transverse force on moving electron spins with polarization along the field.

The spin force is perpendicular to both the electric field and the spin current.

This effect helps understand zitterbewegung and spin-current-driven charge Hall effects.

Abstract

As a relativistic quantum mechanical effect, it is shown that the electric field exerting a transverse force on an electron spin 1/2 only if the electron is moving and the spin is polarized along the electric field. The spin force, analogue to the Lorentz for on an electron charge in a magnetic field, is perpendicular to the electric field and the spin current polarized anong the electric field. This spin-dependent force can be used to understand the zitterbewegung of electron wave packet with spin-orbit coupling and is relevant to the generation of the charge Hall effect driven by the spin current in semiconductors.