Spintronics

Spintronics

Conventional electronic devices are based on the charge of electrons. In spin-electronics however, the spin of the electron is employed for logic and memory applications. We investigate the interaction of the electron’s charge and spin and use pure spin currents to manipulate ferromagnetic ordering.

Specifically we are investigating spin-orbit torques. Here, the spin-Hall effect in a heavy metal is used to generate a spin current, which can diffuse into an adjacent ferromagnet. In this process, angular momentum is transferred from the electrons to the ferromagnet, causing a torque on the magnetization. This torque can be utilized to switch the magnet.