Quantum transport theory for nanostructures with Rashba spin-orbital interaction
TL;DR: In this article, a general theory for analyzing quantum transport through devices in the metal-QD-metal configuration where QD is a quantum dot or the device-scattering region which contains Rashba spin-orbital and electron-electron interactions is presented.
Abstract: We report on a general theory for analyzing quantum transport through devices in the metal-QD-metal configuration where QD is a quantum dot or the device-scattering region which contains Rashba spin-orbital and electron-electron interactions. The metal leads may or may not be ferromagnetic, and they are assumed to weakly couple to the QD region. Our theory is formulated by second quantizing the Rashba spin-orbital interaction in spectral space (instead of real space), and quantum transport is then analyzed within the Keldysh nonequilibrium Green's function formalism. The Rashba interaction causes two main effects to the Hamiltonian: (i) it gives rise to an extra spin-dependent phase factor in the coupling matrix elements between the leads and the QD, and (ii) it gives rise to an interlevel spin-flip term, but forbids any intralevel spin flips. Our formalism provides a starting point for analyzing many quantum transport issues where spin-orbital effects are important. As an example, we investigate the transport properties of a Aharnov-Bohm ring in which a QD having a Rashba spin-orbital and electron-electron interactions is located in one arm of the ring. A substantial spin-polarized conductance or current emerges in this device due to the combined effect of a magnetic flux and the Rashba interaction. The direction and strength of the spin polarization are shown to be controllable by both the magnetic flux and a gate voltage.
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TL;DR: In this paper, the authors give an overview of theoretical methods used to analyze the transport properties of metal-molecular junctions as well as some relevant experiments and applications and introduce a Hamiltonian which can be used to analyse electron-electron, electron-phonon and spin-orbit interactions.
155 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors study electron transport through an Aharonov-Bohm interferometer with a noninteracting quantum dot in each of its arms and show that the conductance and the local density of states can become spin polarized by tuning the magnetic flux and the Rashba interaction strength.
Abstract: We study electron transport through an Aharonov-Bohm (AB) interferometer with a noninteracting quantum dot in each of its arms. Both a magnetic flux ϕ threading through the AB ring and the Rashba spin-orbit (SO) interaction inside the two dots are taken into account. Due to the existence of the SO interaction, the electrons flowing through different arms of the AB ring will acquire a spin-dependent phase factor in the tunnel-coupling strengths. This phase factor, as well as the influence of the magnetic flux, will induce various interesting interference phenomena. We show that the conductance and the local density of states can become spin polarized by tuning the magnetic flux and the Rashba interaction strength. Under certain circumstances, a pure spin-up or spin-down conductance can be obtained when a spin-unpolarized current is injected from the external leads. Therefore, the electron spin can be manipulated by adjusting the Rashba spin-orbit strength and the structure parameters.
83 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a pure thermoelectric spin generator based on a Rashba quantum dot molecular junction was proposed by using the temperature difference instead of the usual voltage bias difference.
Abstract: We propose a pure thermoelectric spin generator based on a Rashba quantum dot molecular junction by using the temperature difference instead of the usual voltage bias difference. A magnetic flux penetrating through the device is also considered. The spin Seebeck coefficient SS and the spin figure of merit ZST of the molecular junction are calculated in terms of the Green’s function formalism and the equation of motion (EOM) technique. It is found that a pure spin-up (spin-down) Seebeck coefficient can be generated by the coaction of the magnetic flux and the Rashba spin-orbit (RSO) interaction.
73 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the coexistence of the spin-polarized current and the spin accumulation in a three-terminal quantum ring structure was studied, where two quantum dots (QDs) are inserted in one arm of the ring and the Rashba spin-orbit interaction (RSOI) exists in the other.
Abstract: We study the coexistence of the spin-polarized current and the spin accumulation in a three-terminal quantum ring structure, in which two quantum dots (QDs) are inserted in one arm of the ring and the Rashba spin-orbit interaction (RSOI) exists in the other. We find that by properly adjusting the applied voltages in the three leads, the RSOI-induced phase factor and the parameters relevant to the QDs, the spin-polarization efficiency in the leads can achieve either 100% or infinite, and the electrons of the same or different spin directions can accumulate in the two dots, respectively. The manipulation of the electron spin in the present device relies on the RSOI and the electric fields, thus making it realizable with the currently existing technologies.
73 citations
TL;DR: A spin device with three normal metal leads via a quantum dot in the presence of Rashba spin-orbit interaction, which operates independently on a magnetic field or ferromagnetic metals, was proposed in this paper.
Abstract: The authors propose a spin device with three normal metal leads via a quantum dot in the presence of Rashba spin-orbit interaction, which operates independently on a magnetic field or ferromagnetic metals. It is shown that a pure spin current or a fully spin-polarized current can be obtained by modulating one of the voltages applied to three terminals. It further demonstrates the dependence of the pure spin current on the strength of Rashba spin-orbit interaction and the configuration of the three leads.
72 citations
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TL;DR: This review describes a new paradigm of electronics based on the spin degree of freedom of the electron, which has the potential advantages of nonvolatility, increased data processing speed, decreased electric power consumption, and increased integration densities compared with conventional semiconductor devices.
Abstract: This review describes a new paradigm of electronics based on the spin degree of freedom of the electron. Either adding the spin degree of freedom to conventional charge-based electronic devices or using the spin alone has the potential advantages of nonvolatility, increased data processing speed, decreased electric power consumption, and increased integration densities compared with conventional semiconductor devices. To successfully incorporate spins into existing semiconductor technology, one has to resolve technical issues such as efficient injection, transport, control and manipulation, and detection of spin polarization as well as spin-polarized currents. Recent advances in new materials engineering hold the promise of realizing spintronic devices in the near future. We review the current state of the spin-based devices, efforts in new materials fabrication, issues in spin transport, and optical spin manipulation.
9,917 citations
TL;DR: Spintronics, or spin electronics, involves the study of active control and manipulation of spin degrees of freedom in solid-state systems as discussed by the authors, where the primary focus is on the basic physical principles underlying the generation of carrier spin polarization, spin dynamics, and spin-polarized transport.
Abstract: Spintronics, or spin electronics, involves the study of active control and manipulation of spin degrees of freedom in solid-state systems. This article reviews the current status of this subject, including both recent advances and well-established results. The primary focus is on the basic physical principles underlying the generation of carrier spin polarization, spin dynamics, and spin-polarized transport in semiconductors and metals. Spin transport differs from charge transport in that spin is a nonconserved quantity in solids due to spin-orbit and hyperfine coupling. The authors discuss in detail spin decoherence mechanisms in metals and semiconductors. Various theories of spin injection and spin-polarized transport are applied to hybrid structures relevant to spin-based devices and fundamental studies of materials properties. Experimental work is reviewed with the emphasis on projected applications, in which external electric and magnetic fields and illumination by light will be used to control spin and charge dynamics to create new functionalities not feasible or ineffective with conventional electronics.
9,158 citations
Book•
01 Jan 1981
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present a model for the second quantization of a particle and show that it can be used to construct a pair distribution function with respect to a pair of spinless fermions.
Abstract: 1. Introductory Material.- 1.1. Harmonic Oscillators and Phonons.- 1.2. Second Quantization for Particles.- 1.3. Electron - Phonon Interactions.- A. Interaction Hamiltonian.- B. Localized Electron.- C. Deformation Potential.- D. Piezoelectric Interaction.- E. Polar Coupling.- 1.4. Spin Hamiltonians.- A. Homogeneous Spin Systems.- B. Impurity Spin Models.- 1.5. Photons.- A. Gauges.- B. Lagrangian.- C. Hamiltonian.- 1.6. Pair Distribution Function.- Problems.- 2. Green's Functions at Zero Temperature.- 2.1. Interaction Representation.- A. Schrodinger.- B. Heisenberg.- C. Interaction.- 2.2. S Matrix.- 2.3. Green's Functions.- 2.4. Wick's Theorem.- 2.5. Feynman Diagrams.- 2.6. Vacuum Polarization Graphs.- 2.7. Dyson's Equation.- 2.8. Rules for Constructing Diagrams.- 2.9. Time-Loop S Matrix.- A. Six Green's Functions.- B. Dyson's Equation.- 2.10. Photon Green's Functions.- Problems.- 3. Green's Functions at Finite Temperatures.- 3.1. Introduction.- 3.2. Matsubara Green's Functions.- 3.3. Retarded and Advanced Green's Functions.- 3.4. Dyson's Equation.- 3.5. Frequency Summations.- 3.6. Linked Cluster Expansions.- A. Thermodynamic Potential.- B. Green's Functions.- 3.7. Real Time Green's Functions.- Wigner Distribution Function.- 3.8. Kubo Formula for Electrical Conductivity.- A. Transverse Fields, Zero Temperature.- B. Finite Temperatures.- C. Zero Frequency.- D. Photon Self-Energy.- 3.9. Other Kubo Formulas.- A. Pauli Paramagnetic Susceptibility.- B. Thermal Currents and Onsager Relations.- C. Correlation Functions.- Problems.- 4. Exactly Solvable Models.- 4.1. Potential Scattering.- A. Reaction Matrix.- B. T Matrix.- C. Friedel's Theorem.- D. Phase Shifts.- E. Impurity Scattering.- F. Ground State Energy.- 4.2. Localized State in the Continuum.- 4.3. Independent Boson Models.- A. Solution by Canonical Transformation.- B. Feynman Disentangling of Operators.- C. Einstein Model.- D. Optical Absorption and Emission.- E. Sudden Switching.- F. Linked Cluster Expansion.- 4.4. Tomonaga Model.- A. Tomonaga Model.- B. Spin Waves.- C. Luttinger Model.- D. Single-Particle Properties.- E. Interacting System of Spinless Fermions.- F. Electron Exchange.- 4.5. Polaritons.- A. Semiclassical Discussion.- B. Phonon-Photon Coupling.- C. Exciton-Photon Coupling.- Problems.- 5. Electron Gas.- 5.1. Exchange and Correlation.- A. Kinetic Energy.- B. Direct Coulomb.- C. Exchange.- D. Seitz' Theorem.- E. ?(2a).- F. ?(2b).- G. ?(2c).- H. High-Density Limit.- I. Pair Distribution Function.- 5.2. Wigner Lattice and Metallic Hydrogen.- Metallic Hydrogen.- 5.3. Cohesive Energy of Metals.- 5.4. Linear Screening.- 5.5. Model Dielectric Functions.- A. Thomas-Fermi.- B. Lindhard, or RPA.- C. Hubbard.- D. Singwi-Sjolander.- 5.6. Properties of the Electron Gas.- A. Pair Distribution Function.- B. Screening Charge.- C. Correlation Energies.- D. Compressibility.- 5.7. Sum Rules.- 5.8. One-Electron Properties.- A. Renormalization Constant ZF.- B. Effective Mass.- C. Pauli Paramagnetic Susceptibility.- D. Mean Free Path.- Problems.- 6. Electron-Phonon Interaction.- 6.1 Frohlich Hamiltonian.- A. Brillouin-Wigner Perturbation Theory.- B. Rayleigh-Schrodinger Perturbation Theory.- C. Strong Coupling Theory.- D. Linked Cluster Theory.- 6.2 Small Polaron Theory.- A. Large Polarons.- B. Small Polarons.- C. Diagonal Transitions.- D. Nondiagonal Transitions.- E. Dispersive Phonons.- F. Einstein Model.- G. Kubo Formula.- 6.3 Heavily Doped Semiconductors.- A. Screened Interaction.- B. Experimental Verifications.- C. Electron Self-Energies.- 6.4 Metals.- A. Phonons in Metals.- B. Electron Self-Energies.- Problems.- 7. dc Conductivities.- 7.1. Electron Scattering by Impurities.- A. Boltzmann Equation.- B. Kubo Formula: Approximate Solution.- C. Kubo Formula: Rigorous Solution.- D. Ward Identities.- 7.2. Mobility of Frohlich Polarons.- A. Single-Particle Properties.- B. ??1 Term in the Mobility.- 7.3. Electron-Phonon Interactions in Metals.- A. Force-Force Correlation Function.- B. Kubo Formula.- C. Mass Enhancement.- D. Thermoelectric Power.- 7.4. Quantum Boltzmann Equation.- A. Derivation of the Quantum Boltzmann Equation.- B. Gradient Expansion.- C. Electron Scattering by Impurities.- D. T2 Contribution to the Electrical Resistivity.- Problems.- 8. Optical Properties of Solids.- 8.1. Nearly Free-Electron System.- A. General Properties.- B. Force-Force Correlation Functions.- C. Frohlich Polarons.- D. Interband Transitions.- E. Phonons.- 8.2. Wannier Excitons.- A. The Model.- B. Solution by Green's Functions.- C. Core-Level Spectra.- 8.3. X-Ray Spectra in Metals.- A. Physical Model.- B. Edge Singularities.- C. Orthogonality Catastrophe.- D. MND Theory.- E. XPS Spectra.- Problems.- 9. Superconductivity.- 9.1. Cooper Instability.- 9.2. BCS Theory.- 9.3. Electron Tunneling.- A. Tunneling Hamiltonian.- B. Normal Metals.- C. Normal-Superconductor.- D. Two Superconductors.- E. Josephson Tunneling.- 9.4. Infrared Absorption.- 9.5. Acoustic Attenuation.- 9.6. Excitons in Superconductors.- 9.7. Strong Coupling Theory.- Problems.- 10. Liquid Helium.- 10.1. Pairing Theory.- A. Hartree and Exchange.- B. Bogoliubov Theory of 4He.- 10.2. 4He: Ground State Properties.- A. Off-Diagonal Long-Range Order.- B. Correlated Basis Functions.- C. Experiments on nk.- 10.3. 4He: Excitation Spectrum.- A. Bijl-Feynman Theory.- B. Improved Excitation Spectra.- C. Superfluidity.- 10.4. 3He: Normal Liquid.- A. Fermi Liquid Theory.- B. Experiments and Microscopic Theories.- C. Interaction between Quasiparticles: Excitations.- D. Quasiparticle Transport.- 10.5. Superfluid 3He.- A. Triplet Pairing.- B. Equal Spin Pairing.- Problems.- 11. Spin Fluctuations.- 11.1. Kondo Model.- A. High-Temperature Scattering.- B. Low-Temperature State.- C. Kondo Temperature.- 11.2. Anderson Model.- A. Collective States.- B. Green's Functions.- C. Spectroscopies.- Problems.- References.- Author Index.
5,888 citations
TL;DR: In this article, an electron wave analog of the electro-optic light modulator is proposed, where magnetized contacts are used to preferentially inject and detect specific spin orientations.
Abstract: We propose an electron wave analog of the electro‐optic light modulator. The current modulation in the proposed structure arises from spin precession due to the spin‐orbit coupling in narrow‐gap semiconductors, while magnetized contacts are used to preferentially inject and detect specific spin orientations. This structure may exhibit significant current modulation despite multiple modes, elevated temperatures, or a large applied bias.
4,268 citations
Book•
01 Jan 1965
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors developed a propagator theory of Dirac particles, photons, and Klein-Gordon mesons and per-formed a series of calculations designed to illustrate various useful techniques and concepts in electromagnetic, weak, and strong interactions.
Abstract: In this text the authors develop a propagator theory of Dirac particles, photons, and Klein-Gordon mesons and per- form a series of calculations designed to illustrate various useful techniques and concepts in electromagnetic, weak, and strong interactions. these include defining and implementing the renormalization program and evaluating effects of radia- tive corrections, such as the Lamb shift, in low-order calculations. The necessary background for the book is pro- vided by a course in nonrelativistic quantum mechanics at the general level of Schiff's text, QUANTUM MECHANICS.
3,167 citations