Spin-orbit coupling in correlated quantum wires: novel phases and spin-transport

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Quasi one-dimensional quantum wires are discussed äs building blocks of future spin-based devices for information processing (spintronics). In particular, several quantum wire based Setups were proposed äs spin-filters operating in presence of Rashba spin-orbit coupling. To gain optimal control over the spin only the first subband of the wire should be occupied (strictly one-dimensional System). In most of the theoretical studies the Coulomb repulsion between the involved electrons is neglected. For strictly one-dimensional Systems without spin-orbit coupling the twoparticle (Coulomb) interaction is known to have a dramatic effect on the low-energy physics. It can lead to phases with gaps in the spin and/or Charge excitation spectrum. But even in Systems which remain metallic (Luttinger liquids) the low-energy spectral and transport properties are strongly altered, in particular in the presence of inhomogeneities such äs contacts to higher-dimensional leads. For a detailed understanding of the performance of future quantum wire based spintronic devices it is thus mandatory to gain a thorough theoretical understanding of the interplay of spinorbit interaction and electron correlations in such Systems. We will focus on two particular aspects: a) possible novel phases resulting from this interplay and b) characteristic spin-transport properties in inhomogeneous wires.