Spin-polarized current and spin accumulation in a three-terminal two quantum dots ring

We study the coexistence of the spin-polarized current and the spin accumulation in a three-terminal quantum ring structure, in which two quantum dots (QDs) are inserted in one arm of the ring and the Rashba spin-orbit interaction (RSOI) exists in the other. We find that by properly adjusting the applied voltages in the three leads, the RSOI-induced phase factor and the parameters relevant to the QDs, the spin-polarization efficiency in the leads can achieve either 100% or infinite, and the electrons of the same or different spin directions can accumulate in the two dots, respectively. The manipulation of the electron spin in the present device relies on the RSOI and the electric fields, thus making it realizable with the currently existing technologies. (C) 2008 American Institute of Physics.