We demonstrate that the spin orientation of an electron propagating in a one-dimensional nanostructure with Rashba spin-orbit (SO) coupling can be manipulated on demand by changing the geometry of the nanosystem. Shape deformations that result in a non-uniform curvature give rise to complex three-dimensional spin textures in space. We employ the paradigmatic example of an elliptically deformed quantum ring to unveil the way to get an all-geometrical and all-electrical control of the spin orientation. The resulting spin textures exhibit a tunable topological character with windings around the radial and the out-of-plane directions. We show that these topologically non trivial spin patterns affect the spin interference effect in the deformed ring, thereby resulting in different geometry-driven ballistic electronic transport behaviors. Our results establish a deep connection between electronic spin textures, spin transport and the nanoscale shape of the system.
@article{arxiv.1603.04655,
title = {Designing Electron Spin Textures and Spin Interferometers by Shape Deformations},
author = {Zu-Jian Ying and Paola Gentile and Carmine Ortix and Mario Cuoco},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1603.04655},
year = {2017}
}