Spin-to-Charge Conversion via Ferroelectric Polarization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Microprocessors face high electrical consumption due to increased power dissipation and energy costs associated with the separation of storage and computing units, limiting their performance.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device comprising a conversion unit that converts spin current into charge current, utilizing a ferroelectric layer with controlled polarization to manage the amplitude and sign of the charge current, and an electric field application unit to control the polarization, reducing energy expenditure by avoiding the energy-intensive reversal of magnetization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If magnetization reversal is used to control current in spintronic devices, then the device can perform logic operations, but the energy consumption is very high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelogic operation capabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the control parameter from magnetization (magnetic property) to ferroelectric polarization (electric property). By applying electric fields instead of magnetic fields, the device controls the spin current through polarization switching, which consumes 1000 times less energy than magnetization reversal while maintaining logic operation capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes the magnetic control mechanism with an electric control mechanism. Instead of using magnetic fields to reverse magnetization, the invention uses electric fields to switch ferroelectric polarization, thereby controlling the spin current. This substitution of magnetic field control with electric field control dramatically reduces energy consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If the number of transistors per unit surface is increased according to Moore's law, then the computing power increases, but the power dissipation per unit surface increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomputing powerVSAvoidpower dissipation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the operating principle of the transistor from magnetic control to electric control via ferroelectric polarization. This parameter change enables lower power dissipation while maintaining the same level of computing power, allowing continued scaling according to Moore's law without proportional increase in power consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Power

If magnetization reversal is applied to control current direction, then the device can generate output voltage, but the energy expenditure is very large

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoutput voltage generationVSAvoidenergy expenditure

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the control mechanism from magnetic field-induced magnetization reversal to electric field-induced ferroelectric polarization switching. This parameter change enables the device to generate output voltage with 1000 times lower energy expenditure, as electric field switching requires significantly less energy than magnetic field switching

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The device achieves low energy consumption for logic operations and voltage generation, with the ferroelectric layer's polarization control enabling efficient spin-to-charge current conversion, reducing energy costs by 1000 times compared to magnetization reversal, and allowing for nonvolatile, reconfigurable, and low-power operation.

Implementation Method 1

the conversion unit includes the ferroelectric layer and a layer having a strong spin-orbit coupling

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpin Hall Effect: Hall Effect

Implementation Method 2

the conversion unit includes the ferroelectric layer and a layer having a strong spin-orbit coupling

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRashba Effect:

Implementation Method 3

a layer made from a ferroelectric material, called ferroelectric layer, having a ferroelectric polarization

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFerroelectricity:

Implementation Method 4

an electric field application unit applying an electric field to the ferroelectric layer to control the ferroelectric polarization of the ferroelectric layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectric Field Effect: Electric Field

Data Source

PatentUS11417453B2Electronic device, digital port, analog component, and method for generating a voltage

Publication Date: 2022.08.16 THALES SA

AI summary

The present invention relates to an electronic device including an input and an output, the device generating an output voltage when the input of the device is supplied, the device comprising:a conversion unit converting a spin current into a charge current having an amplitude and a sign,a spin current application unit applying a spin current to the conversion unit,a ferroelectric layer, which has a ferroelectric polarization and is arranged such that the ferroelectric polarization controls at least one among the amplitude and the sign of the charge current, andan electric field application unit suitable for applying an electric field to the ferroelectric layer to control the ferroelectric polarization.