Quantum Spin Current Induced Through Optical Fields

Abstract

We propose a scheme to generate quantum spin current via optical dipole transition process. By coupling a three-level system based on the spin states of charged particles (electrons or holes in semiconductor) to the angular momentum states of the radiation, we show that a pure quantum spin current can be generated. No spin-orbit interaction is needed in this scheme. We also calculate the effect of nonmagnetic impurities on the created spin currents and show that the vertex correction of the spin hall conductivity in the ladder approximation is exactly zero.