Abstract

Starting from a microscopic tight-binding model and using second order perturbation theory, we derive explicit expressions for the intrinsic and Rashba spin-orbit interaction induced gaps in the Dirac-like low-energy band structure of an isolated graphene sheet. The Rashba interaction parameter is first order in the atomic carbon spin-orbit coupling strength $\xi$ and first order in the external electric field $E$ perpendicular to the graphene plane, whereas the intrinsic spin-orbit interaction which survives at E=0 is second order in $\xi$. The spin-orbit terms in the low-energy effective Hamiltonian have the form proposed recently by Kane and Mele. \textit{Ab initio} electronic structure calculations were performed as a partial check on the validity of the tight-binding model.

Keywords

Spin–orbit interactionHamiltonian (control theory)GraphenePhysicsCondensed matter physicsTight bindingAb initioElectronic band structurePerpendicularSpin (aerodynamics)Bilayer graphenePerturbation theory (quantum mechanics)Quantum mechanicsElectronic structureGeometryMathematics

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Publication Info

Year
2006
Type
article
Volume
74
Issue
16
Citations
1083
Access
Closed

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Hongki Min, Jason E. Hill, Nikolai A. Sinitsyn et al. (2006). Intrinsic and Rashba spin-orbit interactions in graphene sheets. Physical Review B , 74 (16) . https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevb.74.165310

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DOI
10.1103/physrevb.74.165310