Spin Dependent Joule Heating due to Rashba Coupling and Zitterbewegung

Abstract

Investigating microwave absorption in asymmetric Si quantum wells in an external magnetic field, we discover a spin dependent component of Joule heating at spin resonance. We explain this effect in terms of Rashba spin-orbit coupling which results in a current induced spin precession and Zitterbewegung. Evidence is based on the observation of a specific dependence of the electron spin resonance line shape and its amplitude on the experimental geometry which in some range suggests a "negative" differential power absorption.