In the realm of advanced materials and energy technologies, a team of researchers from the CIC nanoGUNE research center in Spain has made a significant stride in the field of spintronics. Spintronics, a field that leverages the spin of electrons to process information, holds promise for developing next-generation devices with functionalities beyond traditional complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) technologies. The team, led by Dr. Fèlix Casanova, has demonstrated a novel approach to creating efficient spin current generation and transport using graphene and heavy metal heterostructures.
The researchers employed an industry-friendly magnetron sputtering technique to deposit heavy metal layers onto few-layer graphene, minimizing structural damage. This heterostructure combines the strong charge-spin interconversion efficiency, induced by the spin Hall effect, with a long spin diffusion length. The proximity effect from the heavy metal enhances the spin Hall angle of graphene while preserving its spin diffusion length. Notably, the spin Hall angle can be tuned via an applied gate voltage, offering high controllability of the system. These properties were observed across heterostructures composed of different heavy metals, indicating the generality of this approach. The research was published in the journal Nature Communications.
The practical applications of this research for the energy sector are promising. Spintronics could lead to more efficient data processing and storage, which are critical for managing the vast amounts of data generated by energy systems. For instance, smart grids and energy management systems require efficient data processing to optimize energy distribution and consumption. Additionally, spintronic devices could enable more energy-efficient computing, reducing the overall energy footprint of data centers and other energy-intensive computing infrastructures.
Moreover, the scalability and versatility of the graphene/heavy metal heterostructures make them a viable platform for advanced spintronic devices. The straightforward fabrication processes and high efficiency of these heterostructures could pave the way for their integration into various energy technologies, enhancing their performance and energy efficiency. As the energy sector continues to evolve, the development of advanced materials and technologies like these will be crucial in meeting the growing demand for sustainable and efficient energy solutions.
This article is based on research available at arXiv.