Eur. Phys. J. B 70, 397-401 (2009)
https://doi.org/10.1140/epjb/e2009-00237-9

Spin precession and electron spin polarization wave in [001]-grown quantum wells

Key laboratory of semiconductor material science, Institute of semiconductors, P.O. Box 912, Chinese academy of science, Beijing, 100083, P.R. China

Corresponding authors: ^a liugenhua@semi.ac.cn - ^b yhchen@red.semi.ac.cn

Received: 7 March 2009
Revised: 5 May 2009
Published online: 15 July 2009

Abstract

We theoretically study the spatial behaviors of spin precessions modulated by an effective magnetic field in a two-dimensional electron system with spin-orbit interaction. Through analysis of interaction between the spin and the effective magnetic field, we find some laws of spin precession in the system, by which we explain some previous phenomena of spin precession, and predict a controllable electron spin polarization wave in [001]-grown quantum wells. The shape of the wave, like water wave, mostly are ellipse-like or circle-like, and the wavelength is anisotropic in the quantum wells with two unequal coupling strengths of the Rashba and Dresselhaus interactions, and is isotropic in the quantum wells with only one spin orbit interaction.