Spin Hall effect in graphene due to random Rashba field

Abstract

Spin Hall effect due to random Rashba spin-orbit coupling in the two-dimensional honeycomb lattice of carbon atoms (graphene) is considered theoretically. Using the Green function method and diagrammatic technique we show that fluctuations of the Rashba interaction around zero average value give rise to nonzero spin Hall conductivity. Generally, the conductivity is not universal, but depends on the ratio of the total momentum and spin-flip relaxation rates.