
A brief review is given on the spin Hall effect, where an external electric field induces a transverse spin current. It has been recognized over 30 years that such effect occurs due to impurities in the presence of spin-orbit coupling. Meanwhile, it was proposed recently that there is also an intrinsic contribution for this effect. We explain the mechanism for this intrinsic spin Hall effect. We also discuss recent experimental observations of the spin Hall effect.
13 pages, 3 figures, to appear in Advances in Solid State Physics, Vol 45(2005), edited by B. Kramer, changes in Sections 3 and 4.2
Condensed Matter - Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics, Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics (cond-mat.mes-hall), FOS: Physical sciences
Condensed Matter - Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics, Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics (cond-mat.mes-hall), FOS: Physical sciences
| selected citations These citations are derived from selected sources. This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | 34 | |
| popularity This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network. | Average | |
| influence This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | Top 10% | |
| impulse This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 10% |
