Spin-orbit coupling induced by a mass gradient
arXiv:1001.1235 · doi:10.1103/PhysRevB.81.165309
Abstract
The existence of a spin-orbit coupling (SOC) induced by the gradient of the effective mass in low-dimensional heterostructures is revealed. In structurally asymmetric quasi-two-dimensional semiconductor heterostructures the presence of a mass gradient across the interfaces results in a SOC which competes with the SOC created by the electric field in the valence band. However, in graded quantum wells subjected to an external electric field, the mass-gradient induced SOC can be finite even when the electric field in the valence band vanishes.
4 pages, 2 figures, 1 table