Condensed Matter Physics Research Seminar: Dr Ivan Vera Marun

Dr Ivan Vera Marun, of the School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Manchester, will be presenting a seminar on his research. All are welcome to attend.

Abstract: We aim to diversify the horizon of 'conventional' spintronics via new device architectures, which allow us to demonstrate new phenomena, clarify misunderstandings in the community, and access regimes so far unexplored.

First, we decouple spin electron currents in ferromagnetic metallic electrodes, via magnon and heat currents in a magnetic insulator. This allows us to demonstrate unequivocally a novel spin injection and detection mechanism via the anomalous Hall effect of a ferromagnetic metal. This mechanism generates transversal spin current without the need of expensive heavy metals and can be controlled to achieve out-of-plane spins with up to 50% efficiency, with technological implications for spin transfer torque devices and magnonics.

Second, we incorporate 2D materials into magnetic tunnel junctions. Transport in these vertical devices enables us to understand the role of proximity-induced spin splitting on 2D materials (extended states in graphene or localised states in hBN) due to ferromagnetic electrodes, rather than the commonly assumed spin-filter effect.

Finally, we apply the insights from vertical devices to explore transport in graphene lateral devices, opening the door for next-generation 2D spintronics.

For further details, please contact Dr Satoshi Sasaki.