Rashba spin-orbit interaction in a superlattice of quantum wires

In this work, we study the effects of a longitudinal periodic potential on a parabolic quantum wire defined in a two-dimensional electron gas with Rashba spin-orbit interaction. For an infinite wire superlattice we find, by direct diagonalization, that the energy gaps are shifted away from the usual Bragg planes due to the Rashba spin-orbit interaction. Interestingly, our results show that the location of the band gaps in energy can be controlled via the strength of the Rashba spin-orbit interaction. We have also calculated the charge conductance through a periodic potential of a finite length via the nonequilibrium Green's function method combined with the Landauer formalism. We find dips in the conductance that correspond well to the energy gaps of the infinite wire superlattice. From the infinite wire energy dispersion, we derive an equation relating the location of the conductance dips as a function of the (gate controllable) Fermi energy to the Rashba spin-orbit coupling strength. We propose that the strength of the Rashba spin-orbit interaction can be extracted via a charge conductance measurement.

Icelandic Science and Technology Research Program for Postgenomic Biomedicine, Nanoscience and Nanotechnology

Icelandic Science and Technology Research Program for Postgenomic Biomedicine, Nanoscience and Nanotechnology

Icelandic Research Fund

Icelandic Research Fund

University of Iceland

University of Iceland

Swiss NSF

Swiss NSF

NCCRs Nanoscience

NCCRs Nanoscience

QSIT

QSIT

CNPq

CNPq

FAPESP

FAPESP