Spin-orbit Coupling Effects in Two-Dimensional Electron and Hole Systems

• Main Author: Winkler, Roland (Author, http://id.loc.gov/vocabulary/relators/aut)
• Corporate Author: SpringerLink (Online service)
• Format: Electronic eBook
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin, Heidelberg : Springer Berlin Heidelberg : Imprint: Springer, 2003.
• Edition: 1st ed. 2003.
• Series: Springer Tracts in Modern Physics, 191
• Subjects: Optical materials.; Electronic materials.; Condensed matter.; Optical and Electronic Materials.; Condensed Matter Physics.
• Physical Description: XII, 228 p. online resource.
• ISBN: 9783540366164
• ISSN: 0081-3869 ;
• DOI: 10.1007/b13586

Spin-orbit coupling makes the spin degree of freedom respond to its orbital environment. In solids this yields such intriguing phenomena as a spin splitting of electron states in inversion-asymmetric systems even at zero magnetic field and a Zeeman splitting that is significantly enhanced in magnitude over that for free electrons. This book describes spin-orbit coupling effects in quasi-two-dimensional electron and hole systems. The first part provides a general introduction to the electronic structure of quasi-two-dimensional systems with a particular focus on group-theoretical methods. The main part of the monograph is devoted to spin-orbit coupling phenomena at zero and nonzero magnetic fields. Throughout the book, the main focus is on a thorough discussion of the physical ideas and a detailed interpretation of the results. Accurate numerical calculations are complemented by simple and transparent analytical models that capture the important physics.