A two-dimensional spin field-effect switch.
Future development in spintronic devices will require an advanced control of spin currents, for example by an electric field. Here we demonstrate an approach that differs from previous proposals such as the Datta and Das modulator, and that is based on a van de Waals heterostructure of atomically thin graphene and semiconducting MoS2. Our device combines the superior spin transport properties of graphene with the strong spin-orbit coupling of MoS2and allows switching of the spin current in the graphene channel between ON and OFF states by tuning the spin absorption into the MoS2with a gate electrode. Our proposal holds potential for technologically relevant applications such as search engines or pattern recognition circuits, and opens possibilities towards electrical injection of spins into transition metal dichalcogenides and alike materials.
CIC nanoGUNE, Tolosa Hiribidea 76, Donostia-San Sebastian, 20018 Basque Country, Spain.
Wenjing
0000-0003-4176-195X
W
Yan
CIC nanoGUNE, Tolosa Hiribidea 76, Donostia-San Sebastian, 20018 Basque Country, Spain.
Oihana
O
Txoperena
CIC nanoGUNE, Tolosa Hiribidea 76, Donostia-San Sebastian, 20018 Basque Country, Spain.
Roger
R
Llopis
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14627, USA.|Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14627, USA.
Hanan
H
Dery
CIC nanoGUNE, Tolosa Hiribidea 76, Donostia-San Sebastian, 20018 Basque Country, Spain.|IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, 48013 Basque Country, Spain.
Luis E
0000-0002-7918-8047
LE
Hueso
CIC nanoGUNE, Tolosa Hiribidea 76, Donostia-San Sebastian, 20018 Basque Country, Spain.|IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, 48013 Basque Country, Spain.
Fèlix
F
Casanova