Thermopower in quasi-one-dimensional nano-constrictions with spin-orbit interaction

Using an adiabatic approximate method, spin-dependent conductance and thermopower of quasi-one-dimensional semiconductor nano-constrictions are investigated in the presence of Rashba spin-orbit interaction under an applied magnetic field. The significant quantum size, quantum coherence, and spin-orbit interaction are considered simultaneously. With the strength of the spin-orbit coupling increasing, the thermopower oscillates more rapidly, the peaks become sharper, and the intervals between adjacent peaks are narrowed. The results also indicate that the conductance and the thermopower are strongly spin-dependent due to the spin split originated from the spin-orbit interaction and the Zeeman effect. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.