Enhanced Rashba spin-orbit coupling in core-shell nanowires by the interfacial effect

We report on k → · p → calculations of Rashba spin-orbit coupling controlled by external gates in InAs/InAsP core-shell nanowires. We show that charge spilling in the barrier material allows for a stronger symmetry breaking than in homogenous nano-materials, inducing a specific interface-related contribution to spin-orbit coupling. Our results suggest additional wavefunction engineering strategies to enhance and control spin-orbit coupling.