Spin related phenomena in mesoscopic transport

The rapid progress of nanotechnology made possible the realization of nano-devices in which the motion of the carriers obeys the laws of quantum mechanics. They offer a unique laboratory for study of fundamental quantum effects, such as entanglement, topological phase and new states of matter arising from many- body correlations.

Besides, mesoscopic objects can serve as components of the electronic and optoelectronic devices of new generation. In this perspective the study spin related phenomena is of particular importance as use of the spin degree of freedom opens a way to practical realization of such nanodevices as single electron memory elements, spin transistors, quantum beam splitters and spin filters.

Another important topic in the field of mesoscopic transport is connected with many- body correlations, which manifest itself via variety of intriguing physical phenomena. In many of them spin plays a major role. The analysis of an interplay between spin dynamics and mesoscopic many- body correlations is thus an actual task.

In a current Multidisciplinary Marie Curie FP7-PEOPLE-IRSES project SPINMET we plan to analyse many body spin related phenomena in various types of mesoscopic structures focusing on following main topics: i) Spin- interference phenomena in non-single connected mesoscopic objects ii) “0.7 anomaly” and related phenomena in 1D ballistic transport iii) New states of quantum spinor 1D liquids. iv) Spin currents and spin accumulation in real mesoscopic structures. The final objective to understand the mechanisms governing mesoscopic spin dynamics and its interplay with many-body correlations and formulation of practical recommendations for their applications in High-Tech industry: silicon spin transistor without ferromagnetic contacts; resistance standard based on the quantum spin Hall effect etc.

Spin dynamics in mesoscopic systems

In a quantum state, a many-body system can behave in a way that would be inconceivable within classical physics. An EU-funded project sought to study its interplay with spin-related phenomena.

Mesoscopic physics, a field of intense research over the last decade, deals with objects whose dimensions fall between the microscopic and macroscopic. Various mesoscopic objects can serve as components of the electronic and optoelectronic devices of the new generation, such as one-electron transistors or spin transistors.

Undoubtedly, one of the most interesting research areas in mesoscopic physics is spin dynamics. Investigations in this field are stimulated by the possibility of creating nanodevices in which the spin of single particles can be precisely manipulated and controlled. An important topic in mesoscopic transport is intertwined with many-body correlations that manifest a broad number of intriguing phenomena. Therefore, the interplay between spin dynamics and many-body interactions is of special interest.

In the EU-funded project 'Spin related phenomena in mesoscopic transport' (SPINMET), scientists focused on analysing spin-related phenomena of many-body systems in various types of mesoscopic structures. Main research topics included spin-interference phenomena in non-single connected mesoscopic objects, 0.7-anomaly and related phenomena in 1D ballistic transport, and new states of quantum spinor 1D liquids. Furthermore, scientists studied spin currents and spin accumulation in real mesoscopic structures.

SPINMET's ultimate aim was to reveal the mechanisms governing mesoscopic spin dynamics and its interaction with many-body correlations, and to formulate recommendations for high-technology industries. Innovative products include silicon spin transistor without ferromagnetic contacts, resistance standards based on the quantum spin Hall effect and compact sources of terahertz irradiation.