  We study the role of different orientations of an applied magnetic field as
well as the interplay of structural asymmetries on the characteristics of
eigenstates in a quantum ring system. We use a nearly analytical model
description of the quantum ring, which allows for a thorough study of
elliptical deformations and their influence on the spin content and Berry phase
of different quantum states. The diamagnetic shift and Zeeman interaction
compete with the Rashba spin-orbit interaction, induced by confinement
asymmetries and external electric fields, to change spin textures of the
different states. Smooth variations in the Berry phase are observed for
symmetric quantum rings as function of applied magnetic fields. Interestingly,
we find that asymmetries induce nontrivial Berry phases, suggesting that
defects in realistic structures would facilitate the observation of geometric
phases.
