Inversion asymmetry at an interface separating two different metals can produce a strong interfacial Rashba spin–orbit coupling (ISOC) that induces various charge and spin transport phenomena. For the sake of analyzing such emergent phenomena in a ballistic approximation, we consider a simple model of a metallic system of two interfaces with strong spin–orbit coupling. We show that the ISOC would be responsible for inducing a z-dependent and z-independent secondary lateral charge currents from the primary spin current injected in the system (spin-charge current conversion), where the z-direction corresponds to the direction of flow of the primary spin current. We explain the fundamental background behind this induction in terms of quantum interference effects. Furthermore, we show that the presence of a tunneling barrier between the two interfaces increases spin current attenuation, but reduces it once the width of the tunneling barrier becomes sufficiently large.

分离两种不同金属的界面处的反转不对称性可以产生强烈的界面 Rashba 自旋轨道耦合 (ISOC)，从而引发各种电荷和自旋传输现象。为了在弹道近似中分析这种出现的现象，我们考虑一个具有强自旋轨道耦合的两个界面的金属系统的简单模型。我们表明 ISOC 将负责从系统中注入的初级自旋电流（自旋电荷电流转换）中诱导与z 相关和与z无关的次级横向电荷电流，其中z-direction 对应于初级自旋电流的流动方向。我们从量子干涉效应的角度解释了这种归纳背后的基本背景。此外，我们表明两个界面之间存在隧道势垒会增加自旋电流衰减，但一旦隧道势垒的宽度变得足够大，就会减少自旋电流衰减。