We systematically investigate how the interplay between the Rashba spin-orbit interaction and Zeeman coupling affects the electron transport and the spin dynamics in InGaAs-based 2D electron gases. From the quantitative analysis of the magnetoconductance, measured in the presence of an in-plane magnetic field, we conclude that this interplay results in a spin-induced breaking of time reversal symmetry and in an enhancement of the spin relaxation time. Both effects are due to a partial alignment of the electron spin along the applied magnetic field, and are found to be in excellent agreement with recent theoretical predictions.

• Received 23 September 2004

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.70.201307