Spin edge states: an exact solution and oscillations of the spin current

Abstract

We study the spin edge states, induced by the combined effect of spin-orbit interaction (SOI) and hard-wall confining potential, in a two-dimensional electron system, exposed to a perpendicular magnetic field. We find an exact solution of the problem and show that the spin resolved edge states are separated in space. The SOI generated rearrangement of the spectrum results in a peaked behavior of the net spin current versus the Fermi energy. The predicted oscillations of the spin current with a period, determined by the SOI renormalized cyclotron energy, can serve as an effective tool for controlling the spin motion in spintronic devices.