Spin-charge conversion: What could be simpler?

An international team that included researchers from IRIG recently presented a simple, yet effective system for converting a spin current into an electrical current. They deposited aluminum onto a strontium titanate (SrTiO₃) substrate at room temperature. The aluminum “pumps” the oxygen contained in the substrate and makes it conductive. The spin built up in the 2D electron gas that forms on the surface of the substrate can then be converted into an electrical current. The conversion is modulated using a simple electrostatic grid.

But perhaps what makes the phenomenon truly remarkable is that no ferromagnetic materials are involved. In addition, the conversion factor is between 10 and 100 times higher than with known high-performance materials like platinum. This advance should open the door to the development of new memory and transistor concepts.

Contact: laurent.vila@cea.fr

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