Field-assisted spin-polarized electron transport through a single quantum well with spin-orbit coupling

We have investigated theoretically the field-driven electron transport through a single-quantum-well semiconductor heterostructure with spin—orbit coupling. The splitting of the asymmetric Fano-type resonance peaks due to the Dresselhaus spin—orbit coupling is found to be highly sensitive to the direction of the incident electron. The splitting of the Fano-type resonance induces the spin-polarization dependent electron current. The location and the line shape of the Fano-type resonance can be controlled by adjusting the energy and the direction of the incident electron, the oscillation frequency, and the amplitude of the external field. These interesting features may be used to devise tunable spin filters and realize pure spin transmission currents. (condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties)