Spin polarization of conduction electrons induced by electric current in two-dimensional asymmetric electron systems

Abstract Two-dimensional (2D) electron systems in which the “up-down” symmetry is absent is considered. The difference between two normals to the electron layer permits the 2D-electron Hamiltonian to include the additional spin-orbit term H so = α ℏ[ pc ]σ , that in turn implies violation of 2D-space parity. It is shown that magneto-electric effect may be observed under this condition: an electric current may induce spin magnetization.