Quantum networks in the presence of the Rashba effect and a magnetic field

Abstract

We use a simple formalism to calculate the conductance of any quantum network consisting of single- channel one-dimensional quantum wires in the presence of Rashba spin-orbit coupling and a coupling magnetic field. We show that the Rashba effect may give rise to an electron localization phenomenon similar to the Aharonov-Bohm effect. This localization effect can be attributed to spin precession due to the Rashba effect. We present results for linear transport through a finite-size chain connected to leads, taking also the effect of disorder into account. The effects of applying a magnetic field and Rashba spinorbit coupling are studied in two-dimensional networks, showing that their interplay can lead the system to a transition between localized and anti-localized behaviour.