Spin-flip scattering in the quantum Hall regime

TL;DR

This paper develops a microscopic theory of spin-orbit coupling in the integer quantum Hall regime, highlighting the role of rare electric field fluctuations and exchange interactions in spin-flip scattering.

Contribution

It introduces a novel microscopic model for spin-orbit scattering, emphasizing the impact of exchange-induced spin polarization and rare fluctuations.

Findings

Spin-flip rate is influenced by rare high electric field fluctuations.

Spin-orbit scattering length is evaluated in the presence of long-range disorder.

Scaling behavior of spin-splitting with spin-orbit and exchange interactions is discussed.

Abstract

We present a microscopic theory of spin-orbit coupling in the integer quantum Hall regime. The spin-orbit scattering length is evaluated in the limit of long-range random potential. The spin-flip rate is shown to be determined by rare fluctuations of anomalously high electric field. A mechanism of strong spin-orbit scattering associated with exchange-induced spontaneous spin-polarization is suggested. Scaling of the spin-splitting of the delocalization transition with the strength of spin-orbit and exchange interactions is also discussed.