Nonlinear spin filter for non-magnetic materials at zero magnetic field

• Main Authors: Marcellina, Elizabeth, Srinivasan, Ashwin, Nichele, Fabrizio, Stano, Peter, Ritchie, David A., Farrer, Ian, Culcer, Dimitrie, Hamilton, Alexander R.
• Other Authors: School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2021
• Subjects: Science::Physics; Nonlinear Spin Filter; Zero Magnetic Field
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/146645
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

The ability to convert spin accumulation to charge currents is essential for applications in spintronics. In semiconductors, spin-to-charge conversion is typically achieved using the inverse spin Hall effect or using a large magnetic field. Here we demonstrate a general method that exploits the nonlinear interactions between spin and charge currents to perform all-electrical, rapid, and noninvasive detection of spin accumulation without the need for a magnetic field. We demonstrate the operation of this technique with ballistic GaAs holes as a model system with strong spin-orbit coupling, in which a quantum point contact provides the nonlinear energy filter. This approach is generally applicable to electron and hole systems with strong spin-orbit coupling.