Non-Abelian Aharonov-Casher Phase Factor in Mesoscopic Systems

Abstract

The matrix-valued Aharonov-Casher phase factor $F_{\text{AC}}$ (related to the c-number Aharonov-Casher phase ${\lambda }_{\text{AC}}$) plays an important role in the physics of mesoscopic systems in which spin-orbit coupling is relevant. Yet, its relation to experimental observables is rather elusive. Based on the SU(2)-gauge-invariant formulation of the Schroedinger equation, we relate $F_{\text{AC}}$ to measurable quantities in electronic interferometers subject to electric fields that generate Rashba or Dresselhaus spin-orbit coupling. Specifically, we consider electron transmission through (i) a single-channel ring interferometer and (ii) a two-channel square interferometer. In both examples, we derive the closed expressions of the conductance and show them to be simple rational functions of the traceful part of $F_{\text{AC}}$. In the second case, we also derive a closed expression for the electron spin polarization vector and find it to be a simple function of both the traceful and traceless parts of $F_{\text{AC}}$. This analysis then suggests a direct way for an experimental access to this elusive quantity.

20 pages, 11 figures

References in corpus (11)

• Spin interference effects in ring conductors subject to Rashba coupling
• Spin-dependent (magneto)transport through a ring due to spin-orbit interaction
• Non-Abelian gauge field theory of the spin-orbit interaction and a perfect spin filter
• Persistent spin current in nano-devices and definition of the spin current
• Persistent spin current in a spin-orbit coupling/normal hybrid ring
• Aharonov-Casher and spin Hall effects in two-dimensional mesoscopic ring structures with strong spin-orbit interaction
• Spin filtering in all-electrical three-terminal interferometers
• Spin transport in mesoscopic rings with inhomogeneous spin-orbit coupling
• Spin-selective localization due to intrinsic spin-orbit coupling
• Simple spin-orbit based devices for electron spin polarization
• Spin precession in spin-orbit coupled weak links: Coulomb repulsion and Pauli quenching

Cited by in corpus (6)

• Spin geometric-phases in hopping magnetoconductance
• Superconducting diode effect in Ising superconductors
• The Aharonov-Casher phase is geometrical and not topological
• Electromagnetic response in dipole superfluids: vortex lattices and singular domain walls
• Persistent currents in mesoscopic spin-orbit coupled rings due to an applied Zeeman field
• Ferroelectricity in a magnon Bose-Einstein condensate: Nonreciprocal superfluidity, exceptional points, and Majorana bosons