Imaging transverse electron focusing in semiconducting heterostructures with spin-orbit coupling

TL;DR

This paper explores how spin-orbit coupling affects transverse electron focusing in 2DEGs, using simulations to predict imaging results and polarization effects in electron flow with potential experimental applications.

Contribution

It introduces numerical simulations of imaging techniques to visualize hybrid edge states and polarization in electron flow within spin-orbit coupled 2DEGs.

Findings

Hybrid edge states can be imaged using scanning probe techniques.

Outgoing flux can be polarized depending on probe position.

Simulations predict specific imaging signatures for experimental verification.

Abstract

Transverse electron focusing in two-dimensional electron gases (2DEGs) with strong spin-orbit coupling is revisited. The transverse focusing is related to the transmission between two contacts at the edge of a 2DEG when a perpendicular magnetic field is applied. Scanning probe microscopy imaging techniques can be used to study the electron flow in these systems. Using numerical techniques we simulate the images that could be obtained in such experiments. We show that hybrid edge states can be imaged and that the outgoing flux can be polarized if the microscope tip probe is placed in specific positions.