Spin filter due to spin Hall effect with axially asymmetric potential

We examine a three-terminal spin filter including an artificial potential created by antidot, scanning tunnel microscope (STM) tip, etc., fabricated on semiconductor heterostructures with strong spin–orbit interaction. When the potential is attractive and its strength is properly tuned, the resonant scattering takes place, which enhances the extrinsic spin Hall effect. As a result, the efficiency of the spin filter can be more than 50% when the potential is axially symmetric. The efficiency becomes smaller when the symmetry is broken, but we still expect an efficient spin filter unless the degree of asymmetry is too large.