Rashba spin-orbit coupling enhanced magnetoresistance in junctions with one ferromagnet

The spin and orbital motion are coupled because the electron interacts with a relativistic magnetic field, generated by moving charges that sees in its rest frame. While celebrated Rashba spin-orbit coupling (SOC) has been studied for decades, authors reveal here, using novel symmetry, even simple trends regarding strength not understood. Unlike common understanding stronger SOC should enhance many phenomena, from magnetoresistance to exotic spin-triplet superconductivity, propose experimentally confirm more nuanced picture which strong junctions single ferromagnets can be either friend or foe.