Conductance modulation and spin polarization in anisotropic Rashba ring interferometers

Abstract

We investigate the ballistic spin and charge transport in an anisotropic Rashba ring interferometer with an asymmetry due to either (i) a variable azimuthal position (φc) of the collector electrode, or (ii) different Rashba constants (αRu and αRl) for the upper and lower halves of the ring. The transmitted conductance and spin polarization are calculated at the collector by considering the interference of the electron wave functions from the upper and lower halves. These show strong modulation with φc and αR, the latter of which can be varied with a gate voltage. © 2009 American Institute of Physics.