Optical Rashba and Zeeman spin textures via TE-TM hybridization in waveguides with broken symmetry
Phys. Rev. B 114, 105411 – Published 19 August, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/z87h-1z5y
Abstract
Conventional planar waveguides confine light to linearly polarized TE and TM modes, inherently limiting optical spin control. Here, we demonstrate the generation of transverse optical spin textures via TE-TM mode hybridization in a deformed uniaxial dielectric slab. We show that monoclinic deformation—which shares the same symmetry properties as the Rashba Hamiltonian—induces a Rashba-like dispersion splitting, characterized by out-of-plane transverse spin. Conversely, a gyrotropic deformation—which shares the same symmetry properties as the Zeeman Hamiltonian—produces a concentric Zeeman-like splitting, where spin orientation is independent of propagation direction. Using a Hamiltonian reformulation of Maxwell's equations and symmetry analysis, we derive the precise TE-TM anticrossing conditions and fully characterize these emergent spin textures, establishing a robust platform for integrated spin photonics.
