Interface-Induced Conservation of Momentum Leads to Chiral-Induced Spin Selectivity
Clemens Vittmann, R. Kevin Kessing, James Lim, Susana F. Huelga, Martin B. Plenio
Abstract
We study the nonequilibrium dynamics of electron transmission from a straight waveguide to a helix with spin-orbit coupling. Transmission is found to be spin-selective and can lead to large spin polarizations of the itinerant electrons. The degree of spin selectivity depends on the width of the interface region, and no polarization is found for single-point couplings. We show that this is due to momentum conservation conditions arising from extended interfaces. We therefore identify interface structure and conservation of momentum as crucial ingredients for chiral-induced spin selectivity, and we confirm that this mechanism is robust against static disorder.
Topics & Concepts
PhysicsElectronAngular momentumCondensed matter physicsSpin (aerodynamics)Momentum (technical analysis)Spin polarizationPolarization (electrochemistry)Coupling (piping)SelectivityMaterials scienceChemistryQuantum mechanicsEconomicsCatalysisPhysical chemistryThermodynamicsFinanceMetallurgyBiochemistryQuantum and electron transport phenomenaMagnetic properties of thin filmsMolecular Junctions and Nanostructures