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Discovery of a new spin injection method available into all types of materials
-The significant progress for development of next-generation energy-saving devices-

Jun. 27, 2011

Joint research group of Tohoku University, JAEA, and Cambridge University has discovered a novel spin injection method which can be applied to all kinds of materials.

Recently, spintronics has been expected as an energy-saving electronic information technology. In spintronics, a spin current which means a magnetic current of electrons is utilized, instead of an electric current. Development of versatile spin injection method available into all types of materials is the most critical task for realization of next-generation spintronics devices, such as quantum computers and very low power consumption information-processing devices. However, it is not easy to produce spin currents: Because of physical constraints, spin currents could be injected only into very limited types of materials.

In this study, using magnetic dynamics, the research group has developed an extremely versatile spin injection method that is not subject to any physical constraints. In addition, the research group has revealed that the method can be controlled by electric fields, and has successfully produced 1,000 times larger spin currents than those by conventional methods.

The research results enable high-efficiency spin injection into not only metals, but also semiconductors, organic substances, and high-temperature superconductors with ease offeing much more flexible design of spintronics devices. It is expected to contribute to next-generation energy-saving electronics with a very low environmental load.

These findings have been published in “Nature Materials�Eas an Advanced Online Publication on June 26th, 2011.

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