title: Quantum transport in nonuniform magnetic fields: Aharonov-Bohm ring as a spin switch.
abstract: We study spin-dependent magnetoconductance in mesoscopic rings subject to an inhomogeneous in-plane magnetic field. We show that the polarization direction of transmitted spin-polarized electrons can be controlled via an additional magnetic flux such that spin flips are induced at half a flux quantum. This quantum interference effect is independent of the strength of the nonuniform field applied. We give an analytical explanation for one-dimensional rings and numerical results for corresponding ballistic microstructures.
authors.affiliation: Max-Planck-Institut für Physik komplexer Systeme, Nöthnitzer Strasse 38, 01187 Dresden, Germany.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Frustaglia
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hentschel
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Richter