Skew scattering due to intrinsic spin-orbit coupling in a two-dimensional electron gas

TL;DR

This paper generalizes quantum scattering theory to include Rashba spin-orbit coupling in 2D electron gases, revealing spin-dependent skew scattering effects even with spin-independent potentials.

Contribution

It introduces a formalism that accounts for spin-orbit coupling in 2D scattering and demonstrates skew scattering arising from symmetry considerations.

Findings

Skew scattering depends on the electron's spin state.

Exact results show skew scattering can occur with central potentials.

First Born approximation estimates the effect magnitude.

Abstract

We present the generalization of the two-dimensional quantum scattering formalism to systems with Rashba spin-orbit coupling. Using symmetry considerations, we show that the differential scattering cross section depends on the spin state of the incident electron, and skew scattering may arise even for central spin-independent scattering potentials. The skew scattering effect is demonstrated by exact results of a simple hard wall impurity model. The magnitude of the effect for short-range impurities is estimated using the first Born approximation. The exact formalism we present can serve as a foundation for further theoretical investigations.