Coordinator
Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Hartmut Zabel
Experimentalphysik
Faculty of Physics and Astronomy
Phone: 0234/32-23649
E-Mail: hartmut.zabel@rub.de
Funded from 2000 to 2011
Link
Unbalancing electron spins
Collaborative Research Centre (SFB ) 491: Magnetic heterostructures
Modern electronics is based on the transport and control of charge carriers in semiconductors like silicon; the carriers of information are negative and positive charges. In the future electronics will also use – in addition to charges – the individual angular momentum (spin) each electron possesses because of which it is magnetic. In conventional semiconductor electronics the spin cannot be used to control charge carriers, as there is the same amount of electrons in each spin direction. Only if this balance is disturbed, a spin transport and thus a so-called “spin-transistor” will become possible. This is why the physicists create an excess of spins in one direction by means of tailor-made materials in the semiconductor.
SFB 491 is devoted to the creation of these heterostructures, i.e. of structures which consist of several layers – artificially created on a nanometre scale – of clearly differentiated materials with novel physical characteristics. These layers could especially be used for data storage, magnetic field sensor technology and control of data media. Optical and superconductive properties are influenced by spin transport as well. This is the basis on which the scientists of the SFB also examine the realisation of a new laser polarised by spin injections as well as specific, theoretically predicted, superconductive currents. The research team also includes electrical engineers and chemists from the RUB and scientists from the University Duisburg / Essen.
