Towards spintronics via tunneling through asymmetric barriers

Abstract

Spin transport typically relies on direct manipulation of the spin degree of freedom via magnetic fields, spin-orbit coupling, or engineered spin-dependent potentials. We show theoretically that directional spin currents can arise in a relatively simple setting - a one-dimensional interacting fermionic ring with static, spin-independent asymmetric barriers. By introducing asymmetric potential barrier geometry, spin-resolved circulating currents emerge on a closed chain even for symmetric initial configurations. The effect can be enhanced or reversed by appropriate initial state preparation and tuning the barrier asymmetry to resonant conditions.