Enhanced photogalvanic effect in graphene due to Rashba spin-orbit coupling.

We analyze theoretically the optical generation of a spin-polarized charge current (photogalvanic effect) and spin polarization in graphene with Rashba spin-orbit coupling. An external magnetic field is applied in the graphene plane, which plays a crucial role in the mechanism of current generation. We predict a highly efficient resonant photogalvanic effect in a narrow frequency range that is determined by the magnetic field. A relatively less efficient photogalvanic effect appears in a broader frequency range, determined by the electron concentration and spin-orbit coupling strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]