Spin–orbit coupled transport in a curved quantum wire

• We study the transport properties of a curved quantum wire with R as its arc radius.
• Inversion asymmetric spin–orbit coupling (SOC) modes interplay with R are studied.
• Influence of applied magnetic field, B, is reduced when the effective SOC is large.
• The condition for B beyond which no spin switching occurs is given by B ≈R1/3.
• Optimal transport properties are achieved with suitable combination of SOC, R and B.

We study the interplay of both Rashba and Dresselhaus spin–orbit couplings (SOCs) and a uniform perpendicular magnetic field BB on the transport of a spin-polarized electron along a curved quantum wire. Eigenenergies and eigenfunctions of the system were analytically solved in the presence of both SOCs for a confinement radius R  . From the transmission coefficients, the spin transport properties such as spin polarization, probability current density and spin conductance were computed numerically to determine their dependence on the SOCs, BB and R  . We find the condition for BB that if it is beyond R1/3R1/3, no spin reversal will occur. Our results show that for a sufficiently large SOC strength, regardless of its inversion asymmetry origin, the effect of the external magnetic field is reduced. Finding the optimal effective SOC strength is essential in achieving suitable magneto-transport properties for possible spintronic device applications.