10,492 research outputs found
Semiclassical theory of spin-orbit torques in disordered multiband electron systems
We study spin-orbit torques (SOT) in non-degenerate multiband electron
systems in the weak disorder limit. In order to have better physical
transparency a semiclassical Boltzmann approach equivalent to the Kubo
diagrammatic approach in the non-crossing approximation is formulated. This
semiclassical framework accounts for the interband- coherence effects induced
by both the electric field and static impurity scattering. Using the
two-dimensional Rashba ferromagnet as a model system, we show that the
antidamping-like SOT arising from disorder-induced interband-coherence effects
is very sensitive to the spin structure of disorder and may have the same sign
as the intrinsic SOT in the presence of spin-dependent disorder. While the
cancellation of this SOT and the intrinsic one occurs only in the case of
spin-independent short-range disorder.Comment: 10 pages, 2 figures, accepted by Physical Review
Valley contrasting physics in graphene: magnetic moment and topological transport
We investigate physical properties that can be used to distinguish the valley
degree of freedom in systems where inversion symmetry is broken, using graphene
systems as examples. We show that the pseudospin associated with the valley
index of carriers has an intrinsic magnetic moment, in close analogy with the
Bohr magneton for the electron spin. There is also a valley dependent Berry
phase effect that can result in a valley contrasting Hall transport, with
carriers in different valleys turning into opposite directions transverse to an
in-plane electric field. These effects can be used to generate and detect
valley polarization by magnetic and electric means, forming the basis for the
so-called valley-tronics applications
Unconventional Quantum Hall Effect and Tunable Spin Hall Effect in MoS2 Trilayers
We analyze the Landau level (LL) structure and spin Hall effect in a MoS2
trilayer. Due to orbital asymmetry, the low-energy Dirac fermions become
heavily massive and the LL energies grow linearly with , rather than with
. Spin-orbital couplings break spin and valley degenerate LL's into
two time reversal invariant groups, with LL crossing effects present in the
valence bands. We find a field-dependent unconventional Hall plateau sequence
, , , , ..., -5, -3, -1, 0, 2, 4 .... In
a p-n junction, spin-resolved fractionally quantized conductance appears in
two-terminal measurements with a controllable spin-polarized current that can
be probed at the interface. We also show the tunability of zero-field spin Hall
conductivity.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure
Berry Phase Effects on Electronic Properties
Ever since its discovery, the Berry phase has permeated through all branches
of physics. Over the last three decades, it was gradually realized that the
Berry phase of the electronic wave function can have a profound effect on
material properties and is responsible for a spectrum of phenomena, such as
ferroelectricity, orbital magnetism, various (quantum/anomalous/spin) Hall
effects, and quantum charge pumping. This progress is summarized in a
pedagogical manner in this review. We start with a brief summary of necessary
background, followed by a detailed discussion of the Berry phase effect in a
variety of solid state applications. A common thread of the review is the
semiclassical formulation of electron dynamics, which is a versatile tool in
the study of electron dynamics in the presence of electromagnetic fields and
more general perturbations. Finally, we demonstrate a re-quantization method
that converts a semiclassical theory to an effective quantum theory. It is
clear that the Berry phase should be added as a basic ingredient to our
understanding of basic material properties.Comment: 48 pages, 16 figures, submitted to RM
Designer Topological Insulators in Superlattices
Gapless Dirac surface states are protected at the interface of topological
and normal band insulators. In a binary superlattice bearing such interfaces,
we establish that valley-dependent dimerization of symmetry-unrelated Dirac
surface states can be exploited to induce topological quantum phase
transitions. This mechanism leads to a rich phase diagram that allows us to
design strong, weak, and crystalline topological insulators. Our ab initio
simulations further demonstrate this mechanism in [111] and [110] superlattices
of calcium and tin tellurides.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure
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