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Bacteriorhodopsin based non-magnetic spin filters for biomolecular spintronics
Vaibhav Varade1, Tal Markus, Kiran Vankayala
1Department of Chemical and Biological Physics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel. ron.naaman@weizmann.ac.il.
Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics : PCCP
|December 15, 2017
Summary
Organic spin valves utilizing bacteriorhodopsin demonstrate potential for improved solid-state devices. This biomolecular approach shows a magnetoresistance of ~2% at room temperature via chirality induced spin selectivity.
Area of Science:
- Spintronics
- Biomolecular electronics
- Organic electronics
Background:
- Solid-state spintronic devices often face limitations with ferromagnetic metal electrodes.
- Organic and biomolecules offer alternative materials for spintronic applications.
- Bacteriorhodopsin presents a unique biomolecule for spin filtering.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the performance of a biomolecular spin valve based on bacteriorhodopsin.
- To explore the chirality induced spin selectivity (CISS) effect in an organic system.
- To analyze the magnetoresistance response of the device under different magnetic field orientations.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a spin valve device using bacteriorhodopsin (OTG-bR) adsorbed on a functionalized gold electrode.
- Incorporation of a magnesium oxide tunneling barrier and a nickel spin analyzer electrode.
- Measurement of magnetoresistance at room temperature with varying magnetic field directions.
Main Results:
- The biomolecular spin valve exhibited a magnetoresistance of approximately 2% at room temperature.
- An antisymmetric magnetoresistance response was observed when the magnetic field was applied parallel to the current.
- A positive symmetric magnetoresistance curve was obtained when the magnetic field was perpendicular to the current.
Conclusions:
- Bacteriorhodopsin-based spin valves are a viable alternative to traditional solid-state devices.
- The CISS effect in biomolecules can be effectively utilized for spin filtering.
- The observed magnetoresistance behavior highlights the potential of organic materials in spintronics.
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