Hall-like effect induced by spin-orbit interaction

The effect of spin-orbit interaction on electron transport properties of a cross-junction structure is studied. It is shown that it results in spin polarization of left and right outgoing electron waves. Consequently, incoming electron wave of a proper polarization induces voltage drop perpendicularly to the direct current flow between source and drain of the considered four-terminal cross-structure. The resulting Hall-like resistance is estimated to be of the order of 10^-3 - 10^-2 h/e^2 for technologically available structures. The effect becomes more pronounced in the vicinity of resonances where Hall-like resistance changes its sign as function of the Fermi energy.Comment: 4 pages (RevTeX), 4 figures, will appear in Phys. Rev. Let

Observation of Caustics in the Trajectories of Cold Atoms in a Linear Magnetic Potential

We have studied the spatial and temporal dynamics of a cold atom cloud in the conservative force field of a ferromagnetic guide, after laser cooling has been switched off suddenly. We observe outgoing 'waves' that correspond to caustics of individual trajectories of trapped atoms. This provides detailed information on the magnetic field, the energy distribution and the spin states.Comment: 21 pages, incl. 12 figure

Two-component model of a spin-polarized transport

Effect of the spin-involved interaction of electrons with impurity atoms or defects to the transport properties of a two-dimensional electron gas is described by using a simplifying two-component model. Components representing spin-up and spin-down states are supposed to be coupled at a discrete set of points within a conduction channel. The used limit of the short-range interaction allows to solve the relevant scattering problem exactly. By varying the model parameters different transport regimes of two-terminal devices with ferromagnetic contacts can be described. In a quasi-ballistic regime the resulting difference between conductances for the parallel and antiparallel orientation of the contact magnetization changes its sign as a function of the length of the conduction channel if appropriate model parameters are chosen. The effect is in agreement with recent experimental observations.Comment: 4 RevTeX pages with 4 figure

Bound states in the continuum in open Aharonov-Bohm rings

Using formalism of effective Hamiltonian we consider bound states in continuum (BIC). They are those eigen states of non-hermitian effective Hamiltonian which have real eigen values. It is shown that BICs are orthogonal to open channels of the leads, i.e. disconnected from the continuum. As a result BICs can be superposed to transport solution with arbitrary coefficient and exist in propagation band. The one-dimensional Aharonov-Bohm rings that are opened by attaching single-channel leads to them allow exact consideration of BICs. BICs occur at discrete values of energy and magnetic flux however it's realization strongly depend on a way to the BIC's point.Comment: 5 pgaes, 4 figure