Spin Accumulation in a Quantum Wire with Rashba Spin-Orbit Coupling

Abstract

We investigate theoretically the spin accumulation in a Rashba spin-orbit coupling quantum wire. Using the scattering matrix approach within the effective free-electron approximation, we have demonstrated the three components of spin polarization. It is found that by a few numerical examples, the two peaks for the out-of-plane spin accumulation 〈Sz〉 shift to the edges of quantum wire with the increase of propagation modes. The period of intrinsic oscillations 〈Sx/y〉 inversely proportions to the Rashba SOC strength. This effect may be used to differentiate the intrinsic spin accumulation from the extrinsic one.