Edge Dynamics in a Quantum Spin Hall State: Effects from Rashba Spin-Orbit Interaction

Abstract

We analyze the dynamics of the helical edge modes of a quantum spin Hall state in the presence of a spatially non-uniform Rashba spin-orbit (SO) interaction. A randomly fluctuating Rashba SO coupling is found to open a scattering channel which causes localization of the edge modes for a weakly screened electron-electron (e-e) interaction. A periodic modulation of the SO coupling, with a wave number commensurate with the Fermi momentum, makes the edge insulating already at intermediate strengths of the e-e interaction. We discuss implications for experiments on edge state transport in a HgTe quantum well.

4 pages, 2 figures; published version

References in corpus (8)

• Quantum Spin Hall Effect and Topological Phase Transition in HgTe Quantum Wells
• Quantum Spin Hall Insulator State in HgTe Quantum Wells
• Nonlocal edge state transport in the quantum spin Hall state
• The Quantum Spin Hall Effect: Theory and Experiment
• The Helical Liquid and the Edge of Quantum Spin Hall Systems
• Corner Junction as a Probe of Helical Edge States
• Tunneling between edge states in a quantum spin Hall system
• Metal-insulator transition in a quantum wire driven by a modulated Rashba spin-orbit coupling

Cited by in corpus (4)

• Mott Physics and Topological Phase Transition in Correlated Dirac Fermions
• Full electrical control of Charge and Spin conductance through Interferometry of Edge States in Topological Insulators
• Cooper-Pair Injection into Quantum Spin Hall Insulators
• Electrical manipulation and measurement of spin properties of quantum spin Hall edge states