Spin bias measurement based on a quantum point contact

Electron charge transport through a quantum point contact (QPC) driven by an asymmetric spin bias (SB) is studied. A large charge current is induced when the transmission coefficient of the QPC jumps from one integer plateau to the next. Furthermore, for an open external circuit, the induced charge bias instead of the charge current is found to be quite large. It provides an efficient and practical way to detect SB by using a very simple device, a QPC or a STM tip. In addition, with the aid of magnetic field, polarization direction of the SB can also be determined. (C) 2008 American Institute of Physics.