Anisotropy of the spin-orbit coupling driven by a magnetic field in InAs nanowires

We use the k . p theory and the envelope function approach to evaluate the Rashba spin-orbit coupling induced in a semiconductor nanowire by a magnetic field at different orientations, taking explicitly into account the prismatic symmetry of typical nanocrystals. We make the case for the strongly spin-orbit-coupled InAs semiconductor nanowires and investigate the anisotropy of the spin-orbit constant with respect to the field direction. At sufficiently high magnetic fields perpendicular to the nanowire, a sixfold anisotropy results from the interplay between the orbital effect of field and the prismatic symmetry of the nanowire. A backgate potential, breaking the native symmetry of the nanocrystal, couples to the magnetic field inducing a twofold anisotropy, with the spin-orbit coupling being maximized or minimized depending on the relative orientation of the two fields. We also investigate in-wire field configurations, which shows a trivial twofold symmetry when the field is rotated off the axis. However, isotropic spin-orbit coupling is restored if a sufficiently high gate potential is applied. Our calculations are shown to agree with recent experimental analysis of the vectorial character of the spin-orbit coupling for the same nanomaterial, providing a microscopic interpretation of the latter.

Automated summary

In this study, we used the k . p theory and envelope function approach to evaluate the Rashba spin-orbit coupling induced by a magnetic field in different orientations in a semiconductor nanowire, taking into account the prismatic symmetry of typical nanocrystals. Our results demonstrate the anisotropy of spin-orbit coupling at high magnetic fields, as well as the twofold anisotropy induced by a backgate potential breaking the native symmetry of the nanocrystal. Overall, our calculations are in agreement with recent experimental analysis, providing a microscopic interpretation of the vectorial character of the spin-orbit coupling in the same nanomaterial.