Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 11, 2026
09:00
Experimental Methods for Spin- and Angle-Resolved Photoemission Spectroscopy Combined with Polarization-Variable Laser
Published on: June 28, 2018
10.7K
Symmetries of quantum transport with Rashba spin-orbit: graphene spintronics
Leonor Chico1, Andrea Latgé, Luis Brey
1Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales de Madrid, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, C/ Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz 3, 28049 Madrid, Spain. leonor.chico@icmm.csic.es.
Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics : PCCP
|June 9, 2015
Summary
Planar devices with Rashba spin-orbit interactions can generate spin-polarized currents without magnetic fields. This study explores the relationship between spatial symmetries and spin polarization direction in graphene nanoribbons for spintronic applications.
Area of Science:
- Condensed matter physics
- Spintronics
- Materials science
Background:
- Rashba spin-orbit interaction in planar devices breaks spatial symmetries.
- This symmetry breaking enables spin-polarized currents without external magnetic fields or impurities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between spatial symmetries and the direction of spin polarization in electrical currents.
- To demonstrate the potential of graphene nanoribbons and nanoflakes as spintronic devices.
Main Methods:
- Numerical simulation of spin-resolved currents.
- Analysis of different device configurations in graphene nanoribbons.
Main Results:
- Established a correlation between spatial symmetries and spin polarization direction.
- Identified specific configurations in graphene nanoribbons exhibiting significant spin polarization.
Conclusions:
- Graphene nanoribbons and nanoflakes can function as effective spintronic devices.
- All-electrical control of spin polarization is achievable through engineered spatial symmetries.
Related Concept Videos
02:42Valence Bond Theory
11.7K
Coordination compounds and complexes exhibit different colors, geometries, and magnetic behavior, depending on the metal atom/ion and ligands from which they are composed. In an attempt to explain the bonding and structure of coordination complexes, Linus Pauling proposed the valence bond theory, or VBT, using the concepts of hybridization and the overlapping of the atomic orbitals. According to VBT, the central metal atom or ion (Lewis acid) hybridizes to provide empty orbitals of suitable...
11.7K
01:17Spin–Spin Coupling: One-Bond Coupling
1.6K
Coupling interactions are strongest between NMR-active nuclei bonded to each other, where spin information can be transmitted directly through the pair of bonding electrons. While nuclei polarize their electrons to the opposite spins, the bonding electron pair has opposite spins. Configurations with antiparallel nuclear spins are expected to be lower in energy. When coupling makes antiparallel states more favorable, J is considered to have a positive value. The one-bond coupling constant, 1J,...
1.6K
01:20Spin–Spin Coupling: Two-Bond Coupling (Geminal Coupling)
2.0K
Two NMR-active nuclei bonded to a central atom can be involved in geminal or two-bond coupling. Geminal coupling is commonly seen between diastereotopic protons in chiral molecules and unsymmetrical alkenes, among others.
The central atom need not be NMR-active because its electrons are affected by the electron polarization of the spin-active atoms. However, spin information is transmitted less effectively than in one-bond coupling, and 2J values are usually weaker than 1J values. The energy of...
The central atom need not be NMR-active because its electrons are affected by the electron polarization of the spin-active atoms. However, spin information is transmitted less effectively than in one-bond coupling, and 2J values are usually weaker than 1J values. The energy of...
2.0K
03:06The Pauli Exclusion Principle
61.9K
The arrangement of electrons in the orbitals of an atom is called its electron configuration. We describe an electron configuration with a symbol that contains three pieces of information:
61.9K
01:08Spin–Spin Coupling Constant: Overview
1.7K
In bromoethane, the three methyl protons are coupled to the two methylene protons that are three bonds away. In accordance with the n+1 rule, the signal from the methyl protons is split into three peaks with 1:2:1 relative intensities. The methylene protons appear as a quartet, with the relative intensities of 1:3:3:1.
Qualitatively, any spin plus-half nucleus polarizes the spins of its electrons to the minus-half state. Consequently, the paired electron in the hydrogen–carbon bond must...
Qualitatively, any spin plus-half nucleus polarizes the spins of its electrons to the minus-half state. Consequently, the paired electron in the hydrogen–carbon bond must...
1.7K
01:03Atomic Nuclei: Nuclear Spin State Overview
2.3K
NMR-active nuclei have energy levels called 'spin states' that are associated with the orientations of their nuclear magnetic moments. In the absence of a magnetic field, the nuclear magnetic moments are randomly oriented, and the spin states are degenerate. When an external magnetic field is applied, the spin states have only 2 + 1 orientations available to them. A proton with = ½ has two available orientations. Similarly, for a quadrupolar nucleus with a nuclear spin value of one, the...
2.3K