The effect of inertia on the Dirac electron, the spin Hall current and the momentum space Berry curvature

Journal Article · Thu Feb 14 23:00:00 EST 2013 · Annals of Physics (New York)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/J.AOP.2012.10.008· OSTI ID:22157074

Chowdhury, Debashree

We have studied the spin dependent force and the associated momentum space Berry curvature in an accelerating system. The results are derived by taking into consideration the non-relativistic limit of a generally covariant Dirac equation with an electromagnetic field present, where the methodology of the Foldy-Wouthuysen transformation is applied to achieve the non-relativistic limit. Spin currents appear due to the combined action of the external electric field, the crystal field and the induced inertial electric field via the total effective spin-orbit interaction. In an accelerating frame, the crucial role of momentum space Berry curvature in the spin dynamics has also been addressed from the perspective of spin Hall conductivity. For time dependent acceleration, the expression for the spin polarization has been derived. - Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer We study the effect of acceleration on the Dirac electron in the presence of an electromagnetic field, where the acceleration induces an electric field. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Spin currents appear due to the total effective electric field via the total spin-orbit interaction. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer We derive the expression for the spin dependent force and the spin Hall current, which is zero for a particular acceleration. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The role of the momentum space Berry curvature in an accelerating system is discussed. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer An expression for the spin polarization for time dependent acceleration is derived.

• OSTI ID: 22157074
• Journal Information: Annals of Physics (New York), Journal Name: Annals of Physics (New York) Vol. 329; ISSN 0003-4916; ISSN APNYA6
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS
SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND SUPERFLUIDITY
CRYSTAL FIELD
DIRAC EQUATION
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
ELECTRIC FIELDS
ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS
ELECTRONS
HALL EFFECT
MOMENT OF INERTIA
RELATIVISTIC RANGE
SPIN
SPIN ORIENTATION
TIME DEPENDENCE
TRANSFORMATIONS