Flux induced spin polarization in multichannel rings with Rashba Spin orbit interaction

G. LOZANO AND M. J. SÁNCHEZ

PHYSICAL REVIEW B - CONDENSED MATTER AND MATERIALS PHYSICS

Año: 2005 vol. 72 p. 205315 - 205315

0163-1829

We show that a finite magnetic flux threading a multichannel semiconductor ring can induce spin polarization at the borders of the sample when the Rashba spin-orbit interaction is taken into account. The spin polarization has an opposite sign on the two borders giving rise to a spin accumulation effect in the absence of external electric fields or currents. In addition the persistent charge current  PC  is investigated. As a consequence of the multichannel nature of the ring, the signature of the spin-orbit interaction in the PC cannot be encoded in a single effective topological phase.