Semiclassical dynamics and transport of the Dirac spin

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 wavelengt...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inSolid state communications Vol. 150; no. 11; pp. 533 - 537
Main Authors Chuu, Chih-Piao, Chang, Ming-Che, Niu, Qian
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Elsevier Ltd 01.03.2010
Subjects
D. Spin dynamics
D. Spin-orbit effect
D. Spin dynamics
D. Spin-orbit effect
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Summary: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.
ISSN:0038-1098
1879-2766
DOI:10.1016/j.ssc.2009.10.039