Ballistic Spin Transport

Doudin, Bernard; Kemp, N.T.

Abstract

This chapter presents the study of ballistic transport in magnetic nanostructures. Ballistic means that the charges carrying the electrical current go through the sample without experiencing scattering. Ballistic transport is a topic of increasing importance, owing to technical advances in top-down miniaturization capabilities. The chapter reviews the basic concepts related to ballistic transport properties, emphasizing the key characteristic lengths and dimensionalities. It explores the differences between semiconductors and metallic nanostructures. Most experiments on ballistic transport were performed on semiconducting materials, taking advantage of better control of their properties, and larger characteristic lengths. The chapter introduces spin-dependent ballistic transport, approaching its importance in the field of spin electronics. The ballistic conductor would play the role of a spin filter, allowing only one spin population to be transmitted, creating a perfect current spin polarization. The chapter shows how spin-orbit coupling is the key physical phenomenon beyond all the new properties.

Citation

Doudin, B., & Kemp, N. (2019). Ballistic Spin Transport. In E. Y. Tsymbal, & I. Žutić (Eds.), Spintronics Handbook: Spin Transport and Magnetism, vol.3. (2nd. edition). Boca Raton, Fla.: CRC Press. https://doi.org/10.1201/9780429441189

• Online Publication Date: Jun 26, 2019
• Publication Date: Jul 16, 2019
• Deposit Date: Jun 18, 2020
• Publisher: CRC Press
• Edition: 2nd. edition
• Book Title: Spintronics Handbook: Spin Transport and Magnetism, vol.3
• Chapter Number: 3
• ISBN: 9780429441189
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1201/9780429441189
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/3523565