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Abstract:
A charge current driven through a two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) with Rashba spin-orbit coupling generates a spatially homogeneous spin polarization perpendicular to the applied electric field. This phenomenon is the Aronov–Lyanda-Geller–Edelstein (ALGE) effect. For selected model systems, we consider the ALGE effect within the semiclassical Boltzmann transport theory. Its energy dependence is investigated, in particular the regime below the Dirac point of the 2DEG. In addition to an isotropic 2DEG, we analyze systems with anisotropic Fermi contours. We predict that the current-induced spin polarization vanishes if the Fermi contour passes through a Lifshitz transition. Further, we corroborate that topological insulators (TI) provide a very efficient charge-to-spin conversion.
