Semiclassical dynamics and transport of the Dirac spin

Chih Piao Chuu; Ming Che Chang; Qian Niu

doi:10.1016/j.ssc.2009.10.039

Semiclassical dynamics and transport of the Dirac spin

Chih Piao Chuu^*, Ming Che Chang, Qian Niu

^*Corresponding author for this work

Department of Physics

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

33 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

A semiclassical theory of spin dynamics and transport is formulated using the Dirac electron model. This is done by constructing a wavepacket from the positive-energy electron band, and studying its structure and center of mass motion. The wavepacket has a minimal size equal to the Compton wavelength, and has self-rotation about the average spin angular momentum, which gives rise to the spin magnetic moment. Geometric gauge structure in the center of mass motion provides a natural explanation of the spin-orbit coupling and various Yafet terms. Applications of the spin-Hall and spin-Nernst effects are discussed.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	533-537
Number of pages	5
Journal	Solid State Communications
Volume	150
Issue number	11-12
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssc.2009.10.039
Publication status	Published - 2010 Mar

Keywords

D. Spin dynamics
D. Spin-orbit effect

ASJC Scopus subject areas

General Chemistry
Condensed Matter Physics
Materials Chemistry

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10.1016/j.ssc.2009.10.039

Cite this

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title = "Semiclassical dynamics and transport of the Dirac spin",

abstract = "A semiclassical theory of spin dynamics and transport is formulated using the Dirac electron model. This is done by constructing a wavepacket from the positive-energy electron band, and studying its structure and center of mass motion. The wavepacket has a minimal size equal to the Compton wavelength, and has self-rotation about the average spin angular momentum, which gives rise to the spin magnetic moment. Geometric gauge structure in the center of mass motion provides a natural explanation of the spin-orbit coupling and various Yafet terms. Applications of the spin-Hall and spin-Nernst effects are discussed.",

keywords = "D. Spin dynamics, D. Spin-orbit effect",

author = "Chuu, {Chih Piao} and Chang, {Ming Che} and Qian Niu",

note = "Funding Information: The authors would like to thank E. I. Rashba, M. Stone, L. Balent, D. Culcer, and D. Xiao for many helpful discussions. CPC and QN were supported by DOE (DE-FG03-02ER45985), NSF (DMR0906025), Welch Foundation (F-1255), and NSFC (10740420252).",

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doi = "10.1016/j.ssc.2009.10.039",

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AU - Chuu, Chih Piao

AU - Chang, Ming Che

AU - Niu, Qian

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N2 - A semiclassical theory of spin dynamics and transport is formulated using the Dirac electron model. This is done by constructing a wavepacket from the positive-energy electron band, and studying its structure and center of mass motion. The wavepacket has a minimal size equal to the Compton wavelength, and has self-rotation about the average spin angular momentum, which gives rise to the spin magnetic moment. Geometric gauge structure in the center of mass motion provides a natural explanation of the spin-orbit coupling and various Yafet terms. Applications of the spin-Hall and spin-Nernst effects are discussed.

AB - A semiclassical theory of spin dynamics and transport is formulated using the Dirac electron model. This is done by constructing a wavepacket from the positive-energy electron band, and studying its structure and center of mass motion. The wavepacket has a minimal size equal to the Compton wavelength, and has self-rotation about the average spin angular momentum, which gives rise to the spin magnetic moment. Geometric gauge structure in the center of mass motion provides a natural explanation of the spin-orbit coupling and various Yafet terms. Applications of the spin-Hall and spin-Nernst effects are discussed.

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KW - D. Spin-orbit effect

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Semiclassical dynamics and transport of the Dirac spin

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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