Current-induced spin polarization of a magnetized two-dimensional electron gas with Rashba spin-orbit interaction

A. Dyrdal, J. Barnas, V. K. Dugaev

Published 2017-02-27Version 1

Current-induced spin polarization in a two-dimensional electron gas with Rashba spin-orbit interaction is considered theoretically in terms of the Matsubara Green functions. This formalism allows to describe temperature dependence of the induced spin polarization. The electron gas is assumed to be coupled to a magnetic substrate via exchange interaction. Analytical and numerical results on the temperature dependence of spin polarization have been obtained in the linear response regime. The spin polarization has been presented as a sum of two terms - one proportional to the relaxation time and the other related to the Berry phase corresponding to the electronic bands of the magnetized Rashba gas. The spin-orbit torque due to Rashba interaction is also discussed. Such a torque appears as a result of the exchange coupling between the non-equilibrium spin polarization and magnetic moment of the underlayer.