Double layer of graphene helps to control spin currents

Double layer of graphene helps to control spin currents
Siddharta Omar. Credit: Photo Science LinX

In order to make transistors that operate using the spin of electrons rather than their charge, it is necessary to find a way of switching spin currents on and off. Furthermore, the lifetime of the spins should at least be equal to the time taken for these electrons to travel through a circuit. University of Groningen scientists have now taken an important step forward by creating a device that meets both of these requirements, based on a double layer of graphene on top of a layer of tungsten disulfide. Their results have been published on 16 October in the journal Physical Review B.

Graphene, a two-dimensional form of carbon, is an excellent conductor of electron spins. However, it is difficult to manipulate spin currents in this material. Spin is a quantum mechanical property of electrons, which makes them behave like tiny magnets. The Physics of Nanodevices group at the University of Groningen, led by Professor Bart van Wees, is working on this problem. They have previously shown that it is possible to control spin currents if the is placed on top of a of tungsten disulphide (another 2-D material).

New technique

"However, this approach reduces the lifetime of the spins," explains Siddhartha Omar, a postdoc in the Van Wees group. Tungsten is a metal, and its atoms influence the electrons passing through the graphene, dissipating the spin currents. This led Omar to use a double layer of graphene on the tungsten disulphide, based on the theory that electrons passing through the upper layer should 'feel' less of the metal atoms' influence.

Omar also used another new technique, in which two different types of spin current are passed through the graphene. Spin is a magnetic moment that has a given direction. In normal materials, the spins are not aligned. However, the of spin currents—like that of magnets—has a preferential alignment. Relative to the material through which the electrons are passing, their spins can either have an in-plane orientation or an out-of-plane orientation.

Double layer of graphene helps to control spin currents
The multi-layered device. WS2: tungsten disulfide, hBN: boron nitride layer. Credit: Photo Siddhartha Omar / University of Groningen

Energy level

"We found that, as the electrons pass through the outer graphene layer, the in-plane spins are dissipated very quickly—in mere picoseconds. However, the lifetime of the out-of-plane spins is about one hundred times longer." This means that, even in the presence of tungsten disulphide, one component of spin currents (spins with an out-of-plane orientation) can travel far enough to be used in devices such as transistors.

The of the spin currents observed by Omar caused them to pass through the upper layer of graphene. This energy level can be boosted by applying an , pushing the spin currents into the lower layer. "Down there, the spins will feel the full effect of the metal atoms and the spin currents will quickly dissipate," Omar explains. This ability to switch the spin current off using an electric field is important, as it could be used to 'gate' transistors based on this technology.

"Unfortunately, certain technical limitations of the substrate on which we built these devices prevent us from creating electric fields that are strong enough to produce this gating effect," says Omar. "However, we have shown that it is possible to send through a heterostructure made of graphene and disulphide. That is an important step towards the creation of a spin transistor."

More information: S. Omar et al, Large spin-relaxation anisotropy in bilayer-graphene/ WS2 heterostructures, Physical Review B (2019). DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.100.155415

Journal information: Physical Review B

Citation: Double layer of graphene helps to control spin currents (2019, October 17) retrieved 28 March 2024 from https://phys.org/news/2019-10-layer-graphene-currents.html
This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.

Explore further

Scientists create fully electronic 2-D spin transistors

55 shares

Feedback to editors