Fast-electron optical spectrum of a two-dimensional electron gas in the presence of the Rashba effect Pages 272-275 W. Xu, Z. Zeng, F. Lu, C. Zhang Show preview | Purchase PDF - $39.95 | Recommended articles | Related reference work articles

We examine how the Rashba spin-orbit interaction (SOI) affects the fast-electron optical spectrum of a two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG). It is found that for a spin-split 2DEG, the spectrum of optical absorption is mainly induced by plasmon excitation via inter-SO electronic transition. From the width and position of the spectrum, the Rashba spin-splitting can be identified optically and, therefore, important spintronic properties can be measured though optical experiments.