Theory of mechanical spin current generation via spin–orbit coupling

•We investigate mechanical spin current generation via spin–orbit coupling.•SOC is modified by inertial effects due to mechanical motion.•Mechanical analogue of spin Hall effect is predicted.

We theoretically investigate mechanical spin current generation via spin–orbit coupling on the basis of the generally covariant Dirac equation. In accelerating systems, the spin–orbit coupling is modified by inertial effects. Due to the augmented coupling, spin current is generated from rigid rotation and vibration. Renormalization of the inertial effects due to the interband mixing is also discussed by using the k·pk·p perturbation.