Equilibrium spin currents in the Rashba medium

Abstract

We analyze equilibrium spin currents in a 2D electron gas with Rashba spin-orbit interaction (Rashba medium). In a uniform Rashba medium these currents are constant, and their ability to really transport spin is not evident. But even weak inhomogeneity of the Rashba medium allows to reveal that equilibrium spin currents can transport spin from areas where spin is produced to areas where spin is absorbed.