Quantum rings with Rashba spin-orbit coupling: A path-integral approach

We employ a path-integral real-time approach to compute the dc conductance and spin polarization for electrons transported across a ballistic quantum ring with Rashba spin-orbit interaction. We use a piecewise semiclassical approximation for the particle orbital motion and solve the spin dynamics exactly by accounting for both Zeeman coupling and spin-orbit interaction at the same time. Within our approach, we are able to study how the interplay between Berry phase, Aharonov Casher phase, Zeeman interaction, and weak localization corrections influences the quantum interference in the conductance within a wide range of externally applied fields. Our results are helpful in interpreting recent measurements of interferometric rings.