Spin transmission control in helical magnetic fields
Abstract
We calculate spin transport in two-dimensional waveguides in the presence of spatially modulated Zeeman-split energy bands. We show that in a regime where the spin evolution is predominantly adiabatic the spin backscattering rate can be tuned via diabatic Landau-Zener transitions between the spin-split bands [C. Betthausen et. al., Science 337, 324 (2012)]. This mechanism is tolerant against spin-independent scattering processes. Completely spin-polarized systems show full spin backscattering, and thus current switching. In partially spin-polarized systems a spatial sequence of Landau-Zener transition points enhances the resistance modulation via reoccupation of backscattered spin-polarized transport modes. We discuss a possible application as a spin transistor.
Cite
@article{arxiv.1207.5404,
title = {Spin transmission control in helical magnetic fields},
author = {Henri Saarikoski and Tobias Dollinger and Klaus Richter},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1207.5404},
year = {2012}
}
Comments
Theory related to the adiabatic spin transistor concept (C. Betthausen et al., Science 337, 324 (2012), DOI: 10.1126/science.1221350)