Mechanically controlled spin-selective transport

R. I. Shekhter, O. Entin-Wohlman, and A. Aharony
Phys. Rev. B 90, 045401 – Published 2 July 2014

Abstract

A device enabling mechanically controlled spin and electric transport in mesoscopic structures is proposed. It is based on the transfer of electrons through weak links formed by suspended nanowires, on which the charge carriers experience a strong Rashba spin-orbit interaction that twists their spins. It is demonstrated that when the weak link bridges two magnetically polarized electrodes, a significant spintro-voltaic effect takes place. Then, by monitoring the generated voltage, one is able to measure electronic spins accumulated in the electrodes, induced, e.g., by circularly polarized light or, alternatively, the amount of spin twisting. Mechanically tuning the device by bending the nanowire allows one to achieve full control over the spin orientations of the charge carriers.

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  • Received 24 March 2014
  • Revised 13 June 2014

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.90.045401

©2014 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

R. I. Shekhter1, O. Entin-Wohlman2,3, and A. Aharony2,3

  • 1Department of Physics, Göteborg University, SE-412 96 Göteborg, Sweden
  • 2Raymond and Beverly Sackler School of Physics and Astronomy, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
  • 3Physics Department, Ben Gurion University, Beer Sheva 84105, Israel

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Issue

Vol. 90, Iss. 4 — 15 July 2014

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