Spin-dependent magnetotransport through a ring due to spin-orbit interaction

Abstract

Electron transport through a one-dimensional ring connected with two external leads, in the presence of spin-orbit interaction (SOI) of strength $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ and a perpendicular magnetic field is studied. Applying Griffith's boundary conditions we derive analytic expressions for the reflection and transmission coefficients of the corresponding one-electron scattering problem. We generalize earlier conductance results by Nitta et al. [Appl. Phys. Lett. 75, 695 (1999)] and investigate the influence of $\ensuremath{\alpha},$ temperature, and a weak magnetic field on the conductance. Varying $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ and temperature changes the position of the minima and maxima of the magnetic-field dependent conductance, and it may even convert a maximum into a minimum and vice versa.