skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: All-electric spin modulator based on a two-dimensional topological insulator

Journal Article · · Applied Physics Letters
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4940239· OSTI ID:22489319
;  [1]; ;  [2];  [3]
  1. School of Computer Science, Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang 330004 (China)
  2. School of Science, East China Jiaotong University, Nanchang 330013 (China)
  3. Key Laboratory for Low-Dimensional Structures and Quantum Manipulation (Ministry of Education), and Synergetic Innovation Center for Quantum Effects and Applications, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081 (China)

We propose and investigate a spin modulator device consisting of two ferromagnetic leads connected by a two-dimensional topological insulator as the channel material. It exploits the unique features of the topological spin-helical edge states, such that the injected carriers with a non-collinear spin-polarization direction would travel through both edges and show interference effect. The conductance of the device can be controlled in a simple and all-electric manner by a side-gate voltage, which effectively rotates the spin-polarization of the carrier. At low voltages, the rotation angle is linear in the gate voltage, and the device can function as a good spin-polarization rotator by replacing the drain electrode with a non-magnetic material.

OSTI ID:
22489319
Journal Information:
Applied Physics Letters, Vol. 108, Issue 3; Other Information: (c) 2016 AIP Publishing LLC; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0003-6951
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English