Spin-dependent Seebeck effect in Aharonov–Bohm rings with Rashba and Dresselhaus spin–orbit interactions

We theoretically investigate the spin-dependent Seebeck effect in an Aharonov–Bohm mesoscopic ring in the presence of both Rashba and Dresselhaus spin–orbit interactions under magnetic flux perpendicular to the ring. We apply the Green's function method to calculate the spin Seebeck coefficient employing the tight-binding Hamiltonian. It is found that the spin Seebeck coefficient is proportional to the slope of the energy-dependent transmission coefficients. We study the strong dependence of spin Seebeck coefficient on the Fermi energy, magnetic flux, strength of spin–orbit coupling, and temperature. Maximum spin Seebeck coefficients can be obtained when the strengths of Rashba and Dresselhaus spin–orbit couplings are slightly different. The spin Seebeck coefficient can be reduced by increasing temperature and disorder.     

Enhanced Spin Seebeck Efficiency in Closed Triple Quantum Dots Ring with Spin-Dependent Interdot Couplings

Spin Seebeck effect (SSE) in triple quantum dots coupled to ferromagnetic leads is studied by using the Keldysh nonequilibrium Green’s function technique. In low temperature regimes, the Fano effect arising from the interferences between the isolated states and the continuum plays an dominant role in the electronic and thermoelectric transport processes. The Seebeck coefficient depends on spin degree of freedom when the leads’ magnetic moments are in parallel configuration. When the leads’ polarization is varied, the charge Seebeck coefficients are less influenced, whereas those of the spin counterparts are obviously changed. The magnitudes of both the SSE coefficient and the spin figure of merit (FOM) will be enhanced by increasing the asymmetry of the leads’ spin polarization. In the presence of the spin-dependent interdot couplings, the strengths of the charge and spin thermoelectric quantities are individually suppressed and enhanced, and then the magnitudes of the SSE coefficient and the spin FOM are comparable to those of the charge counterparts. Interestingly, by the joint effects of the ferromagnetism on the leads and the spin-dependent interdot couplings, the spin thermopower can even changes its sign around the antiresonance states.

     

Generation and manipulation of spin current via a hybrid four-terminal single-molecule junction

We present a new device which consists of a molecular quantum dot (MQD) attached to a normal-metal, two ferromagnetic (FM), and a superconducting leads. The spin-related Andreev reflection (AR) current and the spin-dependent single-particle tunneling current through the normal-metal terminal are obtained, and it is found that the spin current exhibits the transistor-like behavior. The joint effects of the coherent spin flip and the angle between magnetic moments of the two FM leads on the spin current are also studied, these results provide the possibility to manipulate the spin current with the system parameters.     

Generation and detection of spin polarization in parallel coupled double quantum dots connected to four terminals

A four-terminal parallel double quantum dots (QDs) device is proposed to generate and detect the spin polarization in QDs. It is found that the spin accumulation in QDs and the spin-polarized currents in the upper and down leads can be generated when a bias voltage is applied between the left and right leads. It is more interesting that the spin polarization in the QDs can be detected using the upper and down leads. Moreover, the direction and magnitude of the spin polarization in the QDs, and in the upper and down leads can be tuned by the energy levels of QDs and the bias.     

Multifunctionality for the nanojunction of a rotating p-phenylene vinylene molecule between graphene leads

With the multi-functional molecular device based on graphene nanoribbon being deeply studied in experiment, the zigzag-edged graphene device is still worth to investigate. Employing the ab-initio method, the spin transport properties have been studied for the nanojunctions consisting of a p-phenylene vinylene (PPV) molecule sandwiched between two-probe leads of zigzag-edged graphene nanoribbons (ZGNRs). A series of obvious electromagnetic transmission functionalities, including spin switching, negative differential resistance (NDR), dual spin-filtering, magnetoresistance and spin-diode behaviors, are numerically referred in the proposed molecular junction within spin parallel or antiparallel configurations. The performance of switching and double spin filtering can be explained by the transport spectra or total transmission pathways. Besides, the rectification effect is due to the asymmetry spatial distribution of the local density of states as well as the corresponding coupling between the PPV molecule and leads. It is expected that the designed models can be ideal candidate for future spintronic device.     

Tunable spin current through a T-shaped double quantum dot molecule

We present a spin current generator based on a T-shaped double quantum dot (TDQD) molecule connected with two leads, and the coherent spin-flip effect is taken into account within the TDQD. The spin current from the right output terminal is obtained, more importantly, the properties of the spin current are investigated in detail, these results offer us a way to manipulate the spin current with the system parameters.     

Theory of spin polarization in mesoscopic spin–orbit coupling systems

We establish a general formalism of the bulk spin polarization (BSP) and the current-based spin polarization (CSP) for mesoscopic ferromagnetic and spin–orbit interaction (SOI) semiconducting systems. Based on this formalism, we reveal the basic properties of BSP and CSP and their relationships. The BSP describes the intrinsic spin polarized properties of devices. The CSP depends on both intrinsic parameters of device and the incident current. For the non-spin-polarized incident current with the in-phase spin-phase coherence, CSP equals to BSP. We give analytically the BSP and CSP of several typical nanodevice models, ferromagnetic nanowire, Rashba nanowire and rings. These results provide basic physical behaviors of BSP and CSP and their relationships.     

The critical role of the barrier thickness in spin filter tunneling

Spin filter tunneling is considered in the low bias limit as functions of the temperature dependent barrier parameters. We demonstrate the generation of spin polarized tunneling currents in relation to the magnetic order parameter, and discuss how an interfacially suppressed order parameter leads to a temperature dependent tunneling current asymmetry. Analyzing the full parameter space reveals that the often overlooked barrier thickness plays a critical role in spin filter tunneling. With all else fixed, thicker barriers yield higher spin polarization, and allow a given polarization to be achieved at higher temperatures. This insight may open the door for new materials to serve as spin filter barriers.     

Shubnikov-de Haas oscillations of massive Dirac fermions in a Dirac antiferromagnet SrMnSb2

We investigate the physical properties of massive Dirac fermions in SrMnSb₂ using transport, specific heat, electronic structure calculations, and Shubnikov-de Haas (SdH) oscillations. SrMnSb₂ is a candidate Dirac antiferromagnet, consisting of the MnSb layers and the distorted square net of Sb atoms with a zigzag chain structure. This structural distortion leads to gap opening at the band crossing point found in the square lattice of the sister compound SrMnBi₂ but leaves another Dirac band crossing near the Brillouin zone boundary. The small 2D Fermi surface with a light electron mass and a small Fermi energy is confirmed by the large resistivity anisotropy, the large Seebeck coefficient, and also the angle and temperature dependent SdH oscillations. The Berry phase obtained from the SdH oscillations is trivial, in contrast to the case of SrMnBi₂. The relatively large spin orbit coupling gap and the small Fermi energy in SrMnSb₂ is found to be essential to understand this contrasting behavior of the massive Dirac fermions as compared to SrMnBi₂. Our observations demonstrate that the Berry phase of the mobile electrons in SrMnSb₂ is sensitive to the Fermi level change and can be tuned by doping or deficiency.     

Quantum spin and charge pumping through double quantum dots with ferromagnetic leads

The pumping of electrons through double quantum dots (DQDs) attached to ferromagnetic leads have been theoretically investigated by using the nonequilibrium Green?s function method. It is found that an oscillating electric field applied to the quantum dot may give rise to the pumped charge and spin currents. In the case that both leads are ferromagnet, a pure spin current can be generated in the antiparallel magnetization configuration, where no net charge current exists. The possibility of manipulating the pumped spin current is explored by tuning the dot level and the ac field. By making use of various tunings, the magnitude and direction of the pumped spin current can be well controlled. For the case that only one lead is ferromagnetic, both of the charge and spin currents can be pumped and flow in opposite directions on the average. The control of the magnitude and direction of the pumped charge and spin currents is also discussed by means of the magnetic flux threading through the DQD ring.     

Spin-dependent transport properties and Seebeck effects for a crossed graphene superlattice <Emphasis Type="Italic">p-n</Emphasis> junction with armchair edge

Using the nonequilibrium Green’s function method combined with the tight-binding Hamiltonian, we theoretically investigate the spin-dependent transmission probability and spin Seebeck coefficient of a crossed armchair-edge graphene nanoribbon (AGNR) superlattice p-n junction under a perpendicular magnetic field with a ferromagnetic insulator, where junction widths W₁ of 40 and 41 are considered to exemplify the effect of semiconducting and metallic AGNRs, respectively. A pristine AGNR system is metallic when the transverse layer m = 3j + 2 with a positive integer j and an insulator otherwise. When stubs are present, a semiconducting AGNR junction with width W₁ = 40 always shows metallic behavior regardless of the potential drop magnitude, magnetization strength, stub length, and perpendicular magnetic field strength. However, metallic or semiconducting behavior can be obtained from a metallic AGNR junction with W₁ = 41 by adjusting these physical parameters. Furthermore, a metal-to-semiconductor transition can be obtained for both superlattice p-n junctions by adjusting the number of periods of the superlattice. In addition, the spin-dependent Seebeck coefficient and spin Seebeck coefficient of the two systems are of the same order of magnitude owing to the appearance of a transmission gap, and the maximum absolute value of the spin Seebeck coefficient reaches 370 µV/K when the optimized parameters are used. The calculated results offer new possibilities for designing electronic or heat-spintronic nanodevices based on the graphene superlattice p-n junction.     

Electrical generation of pure spin current with oscillating spin-orbit interaction

We propose an electrical scheme for the generation of a pure spin current without a charge current in a two-terminal device, which consists of a scattering region of a two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) with Rashba (R) and/or Dresselhaus (S) spin-orbit interaction (SOI) and two normal leads. The SOI is modulated by a time-dependent gate voltage to pump a spin current. Based on a tight-binding model and the Keldysh Green’s function technique, we obtain the analytical expression of the spin current. It is shown that a pure spin current can be pumped out, and its magnitude could be modulated by device parameters such as the oscillating frequency of the SOI, as well as the SOI strength. Moreover, the spin polarisation direction of the spin current could also be tuned by the strength ratio between RSOI and DSOI. Our proposal provides not only a fully electrical means to generate a pure spin current but also a way to control the spin polarisation direction of the generated spin current.     

The observation of inherent spin Seebeck effect in Rh/YIG hybrid structure

Rhodium (Rh) is a 4d metal possessing a large spin orbit coupling strength and spin-Hall conductivity with a very small magnetic susceptibility, implying an insignificant magnetic proximity effect (MPE). We report here the observation of longitudinal spin Seebeck effect (LSSE) using Rh as a normal metal. A Rh film was sputtered on nanometer thick YIG films of highly crystalline nature and extremely low magnetic damping to obtain Rh/YIG hybrid structure. A clear thermal voltage V_th (SSE voltage) was obtained when a temperature gradient was applied on the Rh/YIG hybrid. The Rh film showed a very weak anomalous Hall resistance and the magneto-resistive testing clearly ruled out the magnetization of the Rh films via MPE. The anisotropic magnetoresistance (AMR) revealed a clear spin hall magnetoresistance (SMR) signal in Rh film implying a purely intrinsic spin current generation, free from any parasitic magnetic effects. The work can open a new window in the study of pure and uncontaminated spin current, generated in ferromagnetic insulators, using Rh as spin current detector.     

Thermopower for a molecule with vibrational degrees of freedom

We study a simple model to describe resonant tunneling through an organic molecule between two conducting leads, taking into account the vibrational modes of the molecule. We solve the model approximately analytically in the weak coupling limit and give explicit expressions for the thermopower and Seebeck coefficient. The behavior of these two quantities is studied as function of model parameters and temperature. For a certain regime of parameters a rather peculiar variation of the thermopower and Seebeck coefficient is observed.     

Spin thermoelectricity in dualhydrogenated zigzag silicene nanoribbons with surface adsorptions

The buckled structure of silicene provides a feasible pathway to influence its electric and magnetic properties via surface adsorptions. Here, we investigate the magnetic and spin thermoelectric transport properties of dual-hydrogenated zigzag silicene nanoribbons (ZSiNRs) without/with the hydrogen adsorption. The band gaps for two spin channels in ZSiNRs under the hydrogen adsorption are shifted near the Fermi level, leading to the appearance of spin Seebeck effect. Using a temperature difference, one can derive the carriers with the different spin index to flow in the opposite direction. Moreover, a large rectification ratio close to 10⁵ at room temperature is achieved for the spin current, and the charge current exhibits a remarkable negative differential thermoelectric resistance (NDTR) behavior. The results presented here are fascinating potential applications in the fields of silicon-based spin caloritronic devices.     

泽贝克/佩尔捷效应演示实验

应用半导体温差发电模块制作了半导体温差发电演示装置,该装置可直观演示泽贝克效应及佩尔捷效应,同时还具有测量泽贝克系数等功能.     

Large Seebeck coefficient resulting from chiral interactions in triangular triple quantum dots

We theoretically study thermoelectric transport properties through a triangular triple-quantum-dot (TTQD) structure in the linear response regime using the hierarchical equations of motion approach. It is demonstrated that large Seebeck coefficient can be obtained when properly matching the interdot tunneling strength and magnetic flux at the electron-hole symmetry point, as a result of spin chiral interactions in the TTQD system. We present a systematic investigation of the thermopower (the Seebeck coefficient) dependence on the tunneling strength, magnetic flux, and on-site energy. The Seebeck coefficient shows a clear breakdown of electron-hole symmetry in the vicinity of the Kondo regime, accompanied by the deviation from the semiclassical Mott relation in the Kondo and mixed-valence regimes, which result from the many-body effects of the Kondo correlated induced resonance together with spin chiral interactions.     

Nonreciprocity engineering in magnetostatic spin waves

Magnetostatic surface spin waves (MSSW) excited from a coplanar waveguide antenna travel in different directions with different amplitudes. This effect, called nonreciprocity of MSSW, has been investigated by micromagnetic simulations. The ratio of amplitude of two counter propagating spin waves, the nonreciprocity parameter κ, is obtained for different ferromagnetic materials, such as NiFe (Py), CoFeAl, yttrium iron garnet (YIG), and GaMnAs. A device schematic has been proposed in which κ can be tuned to a large value by varying simple geometrical parameters of the device.