Magnetoconductance Anisotropies and Aharonov-Casher Phases

R. I. Shekhter, O. Entin-Wohlman*, M. Jonson, A. Aharony

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

The spin-orbit interaction (SOI) is a key tool for manipulating and functionalizing spin-dependent electron transport. The desired function often depends on the SOI-generated phase that is accumulated by the wave function of an electron as it passes through the device. This phase, known as the Aharonov-Casher phase, therefore depends on both the device geometry and the SOI strength. Here, we propose a method for directly measuring the Aharonov-Casher phase generated in an SOI-active weak link, based on the Aharonov-Casher-phase dependent anisotropy of its magnetoconductance. Specifically, we consider weak links in which the Rashba interaction is caused by an external electric field, but our method is expected to apply also for other forms of the spin-orbit coupling. Measuring this magnetoconductance anisotropy thus allows calibrating Rashba spintronic devices by an external electric field that tunes the spin-orbit interaction and hence the Aharonov-Casher phase.

Original languageEnglish
Article number037704
JournalPhysical Review Letters
Volume129
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 15 Jul 2022

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Magnetoconductance Anisotropies and Aharonov-Casher Phases'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this