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Spectral and Angle-Resolved Magneto-Optical Characterization of Photonic Nanostructures
Published on: November 21, 2019
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Magneto-Seebeck tunneling on the atomic scale.
Cody Friesen1, Hermann Osterhage2, Johannes Friedlein2
1Department of Physics, University of Hamburg, Jungiusstrasse 11A, 20355 Hamburg, Germany. cfriesen@physnet.uni-hamburg.de skrause@physnet.uni-hamburg.de.
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|March 9, 2019
Summary
Researchers mapped spin-resolved Seebeck coefficients at the atomic scale using magneto-Seebeck tunneling. This breakthrough enables waste heat to power a novel spin detector for spintronics.
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Materials Science
- Spintronics
Background:
- Electron spin transport is crucial for spintronics.
- Thermal control of spin transport is an active research area.
- Magnetic tunnel junctions are key components in spintronic devices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To experimentally investigate the atomic-scale details of magneto-Seebeck tunneling.
- To map spin-resolved Seebeck coefficients with atomic resolution.
- To propose a novel spin detector for spintronics applications.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a magnetic probe tip near a magnetic sample in a cryogenic vacuum.
- Applied a temperature gradient across the magnetic tunnel junction.
- Measured thermopower while scanning the sample's spin texture.
- Achieved atomic-scale lateral resolution mapping.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated magneto-Seebeck tunneling at the atomic scale.
- Obtained spin-resolved Seebeck coefficients mapped with high spatial resolution.
- Showcased the conversion of spin information into voltage via thermal gradients.
Conclusions:
- Magneto-Seebeck tunneling provides atomic-scale insights into spin-polarized electron transport.
- A novel spin detector powered by waste heat is proposed.
- This technology has potential applications in energy-efficient spintronics.
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