Spin-orbit force in graphene with Rashba spin-orbit coupling
Journal
Journal of Applied Physics
Journal Volume
111
Journal Issue
7
Pages
07B330
Date Issued
2012
Author(s)
Abstract
The observation of Rashba spin splitting in graphene on the Ni (111) substrate, motivates the studies to manipulate electron spin via Rashba spin-orbit coupling in graphene. We derive the effective spin-orbit force in Rashba coupled graphene from the Heisenberg equation of motion. The spin-orbit force, different from that in conventional semiconductors, can provide us a physical picture of unusual spin separation due to Rashba spin-orbit coupling in graphene. Finally, we numerically calculate spin Hall conductance and qualitatively explain the result by the spin-orbit force picture in graphene.
Type
journal article