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Vectorial Control of the Spin-Orbit Interaction in Suspended InAs Nanowires
1Dipartimento di Fisica , Università di Pisa , Largo Bruno Pontecorvo 3 , I-56127 Pisa , Italy.
Nano Letters
|November 7, 2018
Summary
Suspended semiconductor nanowires reveal intrinsic spin-orbit interactions (SOI) without substrate interference. This study tracks weak antilocalization (WAL) in 3D, showing isotropic SOI and enabling electric field control for spintronics and topological quantum computation.
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Materials Science
- Quantum Technologies
Background:
- Semiconductor nanowires with strong spin-orbit interactions (SOI) are key for spintronics and topological quantum computation.
- Experimental characterization of SOI vector orientation in nanowires is limited, especially concerning substrate effects.
- Preserving intrinsic symmetries is crucial for understanding and utilizing SOI in nanostructures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To experimentally investigate the nature and orientation of the SOI vector in suspended InAs nanowires.
- To overcome substrate-induced modifications that obscure intrinsic nanowire properties.
- To explore the tunability of SOI using external electric fields.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing suspended InAs nanowires to preserve intrinsic symmetries.
- Employing a vectorial magnet to track weak antilocalization (WAL) evolution in 3D space.
- Measuring spin-orbit length (lSO) and coherence length (lφ) as functions of magnetic field.
- Applying external electric fields via side gates to modulate SOI.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated isotropic average SOI in suspended InAs nanowires.
- Quantified spin-orbit length (lSO) and coherence length (lφ) across various magnetic field conditions.
- Confirmed findings with a semiclassical quasi-1D model of WAL.
- Successfully introduced and controlled an additional vectorial Rashba SOI component using electric fields.
Conclusions:
- Suspended nanowires offer a platform to study intrinsic SOI properties without substrate influence.
- The observed isotropic SOI and tunable Rashba component are significant for spintronic applications.
- These findings advance the understanding of Majorana bound states manipulation in hybrid devices.
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