  We consider a single-level quantum dot coupled to two leads which are
ferromagnetic in general. Apart from tunneling processes conserving electron
spin, we also include processes associated with spin-flip of tunneling
electrons, which appear due to Rashba spin-orbit coupling. Charge and heat
currents are calculated within the non-equilibrium Green's function technique.
When the electrodes are half-metallic (fully spin polarized), the Rashba
spin-orbit coupling leads to Fano-like interference effects, which result in an
enhanced thermoelectric response. It is also shown that such a system can
operate as efficient heat engine. Furthermore, the interplay of Rashba
spin-orbit coupling and Zeeman splitting due to an external magnetic field is
shown to allow control over such parameters of the heat engine as the power and
efficiency.
