Competition between spin-orbit interaction and Zeeman coupling in Rashba two-dimensional electron gases

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.