Spin-orbit induced spin-density wave in a quantum wire

TL;DR

This paper analyzes how spin-orbit interaction and magnetic fields induce a spin-density wave in a quantum wire, significantly impacting charge transport and suggesting experimental verification methods.

Contribution

It demonstrates the emergence of a spin-density wave due to the interplay of Zeeman and spin-orbit effects in an interacting quantum wire, a novel insight.

Findings

Spin-density wave state forms when magnetic field and spin-orbit axes are orthogonal.

Single particle backscattering off impurities becomes irrelevant in the SDW state.

The effect's sensitivity to magnetic field direction offers a way for experimental testing.

Abstract

We present analysis of the interacting quantum wire problem in the presence of magnetic field and spin-orbit interaction. We show that an interesting interplay of Zeeman and spin-orbit terms, facilitated by the electron-electron interaction, results in the spin-density wave (SDW) state when the magnetic field and spin-orbit axes are orthogonal. This strongly affects charge transport through the wire: with SDW stabilized, single particle backscattering off an nonmagnetic impurity becomes irrelevant. Sensitivity of the effect to the direction of the magnetic field can be used for experimental verification of this proposal.