Imaging Transverse Electron Focusing in Semiconducting Heterostructures with Spin-orbit Coupling

A. A. REYNOSO; GONZALO USAJ; C. A. BALSEIRO

Quantum Magnetism

Springer

Año: 2008; p. 151 - 162

Transverse electron focusing in two-dimensional electron gases (2DEGs) in presence of strong spin-orbit coupling is revisited. The transverse focusing is related basically to the conductance betweentwo contacts at the edge of a 2DEG when a perpendicular magnetic field is applied. Scanningprobe microscopy imaging techniques can be used to study the electron flow in these systems.Using numerical techniques we simulate the images that could be obtained with such experimentsin systems with strong spin-orbit coupling. We show that hybrid edge states can be imaged andthat the outgoing flux can be polarized if the microscope tip probe is placed in specific positions.