Semiconductor Physics, Quantum Electronics & Optoelectronics. 2005. V. 8, N 1. P. 006-018.
Spin ballistic transport and quantum interference
in mesoscopic loop structures
Institute of Physics, University of Rzeszów, 16A, Al. Rejtana, 35-310 Rzeszów, Poland
E-mail: tralle@univ.rzeszow.pl
Abstract. In the paper, a simple theory of quantum inteference in a loop structure caused
by spin coherent transport and the Larmor precession of the electron spin is presented. A
“spin ballistic” regime is supposed to occur, when the phase relaxation length for the spin
part of the wavefunction ( ) (s) Lϕ is much greater than the phase relaxation length for the
“orbital part” ( ) (e) Lϕ . In the presence of an additional magnetic field, the spin part of the
electron wavefunction acquires a phase shift due to additional spin precession around that
field. If the structure length L is chosen to be (s) (e) Lϕ > L > Lϕ , it is possible to “wash out”
the quantum interference related to the phase coherence of the “orbital part” of the
wavefunction, retaining at the same time that related to the phase coherence of the spin
part and, hence, to reveal corresponding conductance oscillations. Different mechanisms
of spin relaxation, such as Elliot – Yafet, the scattering by the edges and surface the
structure and the precession ones, as well as their influence on the spin coherent transport
are considered. The quantum interference in time-dependent magnetic field, quantum
beats in mesoscopic loop structure, are also discussed. The similarities between this
effect and Josephson, scalar Aharonov – Bohm and Aharonov – Casher effects, as well as
their differences are treated and possible application of the effect to the construction of
the device, complementary to superconducting quantum interference device is analyzed.
Keywords: spin ballistic transport, mesoscopic structures, quantum interference,
spintronics, Josephson effect, scalar Aharonov – Bohm and Aharonov – Casher effects.
|