Quantum Kinetic Anatomy of Electron Angular Momenta Edge Accumulation
arXiv:2507.06771 · doi:10.1103/86cm-yn9z
Abstract
Controlling electron's spin and orbital degrees of freedom has been a major research focus over the past two decades, as it underpins the electrical manipulation of magnetization. Leveraging a recently introduced quantum kinetic theory of multiband systems [T. Valet and R. Raimondi, Phys. Rev. B 111, L041118 (2025)], we outline how the intrinsic angular momenta linear response is partitioned into intraband and interband contributions. Focusing on time reversal and inversion symmetric metals, we show that the spin and orbital Hall currents are purely intraband. We also reveal that the intrinsic edge densities originate partially, and in the orbital case probably mostly, from a new interband mechanism. We discuss how this profoundly impacts the interpretation of orbital edge accumulation observations, and has broader implications for current induced torques.
Final version, including some clarifying statements
Cited by in corpus (5)
- Anatomy of torques from orbital Rashba textures: the case of Co/Al interfaces
- Theoretical study of orbital torque: Dependence on ferromagnet species and nonmagnetic layer thickness
- Negligible current-induced torque from the bulk and interface of Al
- Injection of orbital angular momentum into transition metals from first-principles
- Orbital Hall effect in spin-3/2 hole-doped semiconductors and its implications for orbitronics