Spin-dependent Seebeck effect in Aharonov–Bohm rings with Rashba and Dresselhaus spin–orbit interactions

• Spin-dependent Seebeck effect leads to spin polarized current.
• Spin-orbit interactions and Aharonov–Bohm effect determine the spin Seebeck coefficient.
• Maximum spin Seebeck coefficients are obtained for close spin-orbit interactions.
• Zero spin Seebeck coefficient is obtained for half-integer times of magnetic quantum.

We theoretically investigate the spin-dependent Seebeck effect in an Aharonov–Bohm mesoscopic ring in the presence of both Rashba and Dresselhaus spin–orbit interactions under magnetic flux perpendicular to the ring. We apply the Green's function method to calculate the spin Seebeck coefficient employing the tight-binding Hamiltonian. It is found that the spin Seebeck coefficient is proportional to the slope of the energy-dependent transmission coefficients. We study the strong dependence of spin Seebeck coefficient on the Fermi energy, magnetic flux, strength of spin–orbit coupling, and temperature. Maximum spin Seebeck coefficients can be obtained when the strengths of Rashba and Dresselhaus spin–orbit couplings are slightly different. The spin Seebeck coefficient can be reduced by increasing temperature and disorder.