Publication
Title
Quantum rings with time-dependent spin-orbit coupling: Spintronic Rabi oscillations and conductance properties
Author
Abstract
The strength of the (Rashba-type) spin-orbit coupling in mesoscopic semiconductor rings can be tuned with external gate voltages. Here we consider the case of a periodically changing spin-orbit interaction strength in time as induced by sinusoidal voltages. In a closed one dimensional quantum ring with weak spin-orbit coupling, Rabi oscillations are shown to appear. We find that the time evolution of initially localized wave packets exhibits a series of collapse and revival phenomena. Partial revivalsthat are typical in nonlinear systemsare shown to correspond to superpositions of states localized at different spatial positions along the ring. These spintronic Schrödinger-cat states appear periodically, and similarly to their counterparts in other physical systems, they are found to be sensitive to disturbances caused by the environment. The time-dependent spin transport problem, when leads are attached to the ring, is also solved. We show that the sideband currents induced by the oscillating spin-orbit interaction strength can become the dominant output channel, even in the presence of moderate thermal fluctuations and random scattering events.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Physical review : B : solid state. - Lancaster, Pa, 1970 - 1978
Publication
Lancaster, Pa : 2009
ISSN
0556-2805
DOI
10.1103/PHYSREVB.80.165303
Volume/pages
80 :16 (2009) , p. 165303,1-165303,10
ISI
000271352100078
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (open access)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Project info
CalcUA as central calculation facility: supporting core facilities.
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 20.01.2010
Last edited 22.01.2024
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