Spintronics based on 2D materials and related van der Waals structures

2017-03-20 18:00:07 202

  •   Spintronics, or spin electronics, is an emerging field of study that combines the principles of electronics and magnetism. It involves the manipulation of the spin of electrons instead of their charge. This technology has the potential to revolutionize the way computers process information, as well as the way that electronic devices are designed and manufactured.

  •    Spin electronics utilizes the spin of electrons, which is a quantum-mechanical property that is related to the angular momentum of an electron. This spin can be manipulated by applying a magnetic field or an electric field, allowing for the control of the spin of an electron.

  •     In 1990, Datta and A.Das proposed a spin field effect transistor(As is shown in the picture),but the spin-polarized transistor (or FET) capable of amplifying the spin signal has not been successfully demonstrated. It is still a big challenge. Our research goal is to achieve spin field effect transistors and promote the development and innovation of spintronics.

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(Figure 1:The upper line indicates that the precession period is much larger than the electronic flight time. The spin is still in the incident direction, and the current passing through is large. The lower line indicates that the precession period is small. If the spin is just reversed, the current passing through is small.)

  •    Our group's primary research focus in spintronics is to integrate it with novel two-dimensional materials. This is advantageous compared to spintronics based on traditional metallic and semiconductor materials, due to the long spin relaxation time and spin diffusion distance of the two-dimensional material (e.g. graphene). Furthermore, different two-dimensional materials can be combined to form a heterostructure, resulting in the emergence of many novel characteristics. For instance, a Graphene/TMDC heterojunction can make up for the lack of magnetic moment and spin control in graphene, due to the strong spin-orbit coupling of TMDC.


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Figures from：Roche S , Johan Åkerman, Beschoten B , et al. 2d Materials, 2018, 2:030202.

  •    Spintronics based on two-dimensional layered materials is an international frontier, offering immense potential for innovation and a very promising future.