Spin information of an electron, also known as a pure spin current, has been a topic of interest for researchers from North Carolina State University and the University of Pittsburgh. The study aimed to understand how this spin information moves through chiral materials and the implications of the direction in which the spins are injected into these materials.
Chiral materials, such as chiral solids, are substances that do not overlap with their mirror images. An example often used is that of left and right hands, where a left-handed glove cannot fit on the right hand and vice versa. This unique property of chiral materials allows researchers to control the direction of spin within the material.
Spintronic devices use the spin of an electron rather than its charge to create current and transmit information through electronic devices. The goal is to move spin information through a material without the need to move the associated charge, as moving charge consumes more energy, resulting in devices heating up during prolonged use.
The study revealed that the direction in which pure spins are injected into chiral materials significantly affects their ability to pass through. It was discovered that the absorption of spin current strongly depends on the angle between the spin polarization and the chiral axis. When the spin is aligned parallel or anti-parallel to the chiral axis, its ability to pass through the material improved significantly, by up to 3000%.
Implications for Spintronics
This study has significant implications for the design of energy-efficient spintronic devices, particularly in data storage, communication, and computing. By understanding how spin information moves through chiral materials, researchers can potentially design chiral gateways for electronic devices, enabling more efficient and effective information transmission.
The findings of this study challenge some existing beliefs about chiral materials and spin behavior. The researchers used two different approaches, microwave particle excitation and ultrafast laser heating, to inject pure spin into selected chiral materials and found consistent results. The study opens up avenues for further exploration and research in the field of spin information and its applications in spintronics.
The study sheds light on the intricate relationship between spin information and chiral materials. The ability to control the direction of spin within these materials has promising implications for the development of spintronic devices. Further research in this area could lead to groundbreaking advancements in energy-efficient electronic devices and data transmission systems.