Dynamic Control of Topological-Magnetic Devices
Abstract
Topological insulators (TIs), materials predicted and experimentally verified only in the past decade, have excited immense interest because of their unique materials properties. For example, TI properties such as spin-momentum locking of surface states and lack of backscattering make them excellent candidates for applications such as spintronics devices, which could revolutionize the electronics industry. In particular, there is enormous potential for creating new spin and magnetic devices using topological insulators proximity-coupled to ferromagnets (FMs), which can be configured to induce responses such as band gaps, large inductances, memory read-out effects, and electrically-controlled magnetic switching. Yet, progress has been limited by a lack of understanding and control of TI-FM interfaces. This proposal aims to develop new techniques to study and control TI-FM devices and interfaces. In particular, the proposal aims to dynamically tune the electro-magnetic response of TIs proximity-coupled to FMs by using electrostatic gates and high currents. Electrostatic gates will be developed to allow switching on and off of the magnetized TI surfaces. This is a key experimental knob which should uniquely determine the topological versus non-topological magnetic response, and clarify the origin of TI-FM behaviors. A second set of experiments, will test the effects of injecting a high flux of carriers into the TI to induce magnetization dynamics in an adjacent FM. This will allow current-induced magnetization switching, as well as studies of quantum magnetic mode propagation. The results of the proposed work will not only clarify the role of surface states, interfaces, and non-equilibrium effects in TI-magnetic devices, but will also offer a new level of control over potential TI spintronic and memory devices.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Mar 09, 2020
- Source ID
- W911NF2010024
Entities
People
- Nadya Mason
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- United States Army
- University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign