  We show that in a two dimensional electron gas (2DEG) the interplay between
the Rashba spin-orbit coupling and a potential barrier (eg., the sample edge)
generates interesting spin effects. In the presence of an external charge
current, a spin accumulation is built up near the barrier while in equilibrium
there is an inhomogeneous spin current which is localized at the barrier and
flows parallel to it. When an in-plane magnetic field perpendicular to the
barrier is applied, the system also develops an inhomogeneous charge current
density. These effects originate purely from the structure of the eigenstates
near the boundary.
