Spintronic Device Long-Distance Spin Current Transmission

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Solution Overview

Problem

Spintronic devices face limitations in transmitting spin current over long distances due to spin relaxation, which restricts the distance to several tens to several hundreds of nanometers, leading to short transmission distances and increased power consumption.

Innovation Solution

A spintronic device with a magnetic dielectric layer and metal electrodes made of elements with strong spin-orbit coupling, such as Pt, Au, Pd, Ag, Bi, or their alloys, facilitates spin-wave spin current exchange at the interface, utilizing spin-Hall and inverse spin-Hall effects for low-loss transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If spin current is transferred by conduction electrons, then spin current transmission is achieved, but the transmission distance is limited to several tens to several hundreds of nanometers due to spin relaxation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespin current transmission capabilityVSAvoidtransmission distance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a magnetic dielectric layer as an intermediary medium between metal electrodes to enable spin-wave spin current transmission. This mediator allows spin information to be transmitted over long distances without the limitations of conduction electron spin relaxation, achieving millimeter-scale transmission distances while maintaining spin current capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the conventional conduction electron-based spin current transmission mechanism with a spin-wave-based mechanism in a magnetic dielectric layer. This substitution eliminates the spin relaxation limitation inherent in conduction electrons, enabling long-distance spin current transmission without power consumption increase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If electron flow is used for information transmission, then information transmission is achieved, but power consumption increases due to Joule heat

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation transmission capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes conventional electron flow-based information transmission with spin-wave spin current transmission in a magnetic dielectric layer. Since spin-wave transmission is a reversible process with minimal spin angular momentum dissipation, it eliminates Joule heat generation while maintaining information transmission capability, thus reducing power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the transmission mechanism from irreversible conduction electron flow to reversible spin-wave propagation. This parameter change in the transmission mode enables information transmission without the energy loss associated with Joule heating, addressing the power consumption problem.

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

Enables efficient transmission of spin current over long distances with minimal dissipation of spin angular momentum, allowing for information and electric current transmission without the power consumption issues associated with conventional electron flow.

Implementation Method 1

Spin-Hall effect is well known in spintronics. When an electric current flows through a sample, a pure spin current is generated in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the electric current

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpin-Hall effect: Hall Effect

Implementation Method 2

use of spin-wave spin current will make it possible to lower the loss of spin current and transmit spin current over long distances

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpin-wave spin current:

Implementation Method 3

spin-wave spin current—pure spin current exchange is carried out at the interface between the above described magnetic dielectric layer and the above described metal electrode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpin-wave spin current—pure spin current exchange:

Implementation Method 4

Inverse spin-Hall effects cause a difference in potential at the end of a sample, and therefore it is possible to detect whether or not there is a pure spin current by detecting this difference in potential

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInverse spin-Hall effects: Hall Effect

Data Source

PatentUS8254163B2Spintronic device and information transmitting method

Publication Date: 2012.08.28 NEC CORP

AI summary

A concrete means for making transmission over long distances possible using a spin-wave spin current is provided in a spintronic device and an information transmitting method.At least one metal electrode made of any of Pt, Au, Pd, Ag, Bi, alloys of these, or elements having an f-orbital are provided on top of a magnetic dielectric layer and, so that spin-wave spin current—pure spin current exchange is carried out at the interface between the above described magnetic dielectric layer and the above described metal electrode.