Spin Photovoltaic Effect in Quantum Wires with Rashba Interaction

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We propose a mechanism for spin polarized photocurrent generation in quantum wires. The effect is due to the combined effect of Rashba spin-orbit interaction, external magnetic field and microwave radiation. The time-independent interactions in the wire give rise to a spectrum asymmetry in k-space. The microwave radiation induces transitions between spin-splitted subbands, and, due to the peculiar energy dispersion relation, charge and spin currents are generated at zero bias voltage. We demonstrate that the generation of pure spin currents is possible under an appropriate choice of external control parameters.