Spin-current generation and detection in the presence of an ac gate

Abstract

We predict that in a narrow gap III-V semiconductor quantum well or quantum wire, an observable electron spin current can be generated with a time-dependent gate to modify the Rashba spin-orbit coupling constant. Methods to rectify the so generated ac current are discussed. An all-electric method of spin-current detection is suggested, which measures the voltage on the gate in the vicinity of a two-dimensional electron gas carrying a time-dependent spin current. Both the generation and detection do not involve any optical or magnetic mediator.