Summary: Conversions between spin and charge currents by Spin-Orbit effects begin to be used in spintronic devices such as Spin-Orbit Magnetic Memories (SOT-MRAMs) harnessing the Spin Hall Effect of heavy metals such as Pt. We want to explore new paradigms in this field using spin-charge current conversion by spin-momentum locking at interface states of topological insulators (TIs) such as a-Sn and half-Heusler alloys, integrated with non-classical magnetic materials such as Heusler alloys (HA). This goal is strongly coupled to the objective of using the spin-charge current conversions in different types of devices including power generators for the transformation of heat flow into electrical power thanks to new spin-thermal effects where a temperature gradient generates a spin current, namely spin Seebeck effect and spin Nernst effect.
Members: The scientific members includes all members of the SPIN team, explicitly Dr. Juan-Carlos Rojas-Sánchez (PI), Prof. Stephan Andrieu (specialist in MBE), Prof. François Montaigne (optical and e-beam lithography, former Head of cleanroom facilities, magnetotransport); Dr. Sébastien Petit-Watelot ( ultra-low noise magneto-transport at low and high frequencies, and FMR); Dr. Olivier Copie ( oxides and PLD); and Prof. Michel Hehn ( Magnetic tunnel junction, ferrimagnets and sputtering); as well as Prof. Yannick Fagot-Révurat (ARPES and scanning tunnel microcopy)
Funding: 256 k€
Scientific project timeline: 01/04/2020 – 31/03/2023