Spin-dependent Seebeck effect in asymmetric four-terminal systems with Rashba spin-orbit coupling

We propose a new type of spin-dependent Seebeck effect (SDSE) emerging from the Rashba spin-orbit coupling in asymmetric four-terminal electron systems. This system generates spin currents or spin voltages along the longitudinal direction parallel to the temperature gradient in the absence of magnetic fields. The remarkable result arises from the breaking of the reflection symmetry along the transverse direction. In the meantime, the SDSE along the transverse direction, the so-called the spin Nernst effect, with spin currents or spin voltages perpendicular to the temperature gradient, can be simultaneously realized in our system. We further find that it is possible to use the temperature differences between four leads to tune the spin-dependent Seebeck coefficients. Copyright (C) EPLA, 2015