Semiclassical theory of spin transport in spin-orbit coupled systems

  • 2 March 2004
Abstract
Motivated by recent interest in novel spintronics effects, we develop a semiclassical theory of spin transport that is valid in spin-orbit coupled systems. We express the spin current as a sum of convective, spin dipole, and torque dipole contributions, and derive semiclassical expressions for these quantities based on wavepacket dynamics. As an example, we derive an expression for the intrinsic spin-Hall conductivity of hole-doped semiconductors, which agrees with the Kubo formula theory prediction for the same quantity, and identifies contributions additional to the anomalous velocity term evaluated in earlier work.