Spintronics
Work Package 2
The mission of the Graphene Flagship’s Spintronics Work Package is to explore the potential of graphene and layered materials for applications in spintronics: the transfer, processing and storage of information based on the spin degree of freedom of electrons in the material.
Objectives
Our first objective is to determine how to improve the performance of magnetic tunnel junctions: two layers of metallic material that allow electrons to pass between them when a voltage is applied, enabling data transfer, using a combination of magnetic materials and graphene and layered materials. This is crucial for the development of new magnetic randomaccess memory (RAM) technology for data storage and computer processing.
Our second objective is to find the upper limit for spin-to-charge conversion mechanisms, such as the spin Hall effect, to generate pure spin currents in graphene. Harnessing the potential of this phenomenon could lead to a new wave of enhanced magnetic RAM devices and open the door to ultra-low energy consumption computing, meaning that our data centres, mobile devices and interconnected electronics could become more sustainable and significantly cheaper to power.
Furthermore, we are continually evaluating the potential of new and emerging layered materials to further advance ultracompact spin-based technologies
Latest Articles
Low-power electronics with a spin
Profile: Mar García-Hernandez
Mar García-Hernandez of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) is the leader of the Graphene Flagship Work Package Enabling Materials, which is focused on development of scalable synthesis methods for graphene and other layered materials.
Layered heterostructures put a spin on magnetic memory devices
Interfacing graphene with layers of transition metal dichalcogenides enables electric field-controlled spintronic memory devices.
Spotlight: Marc Vila, ICN2, Graphene Connects Different Cultures
Marc Vila, PhD student at Graphene Flagship partner ICN2 (left), speaks to us about his research in spintronics using graphene
SciTechEuropa talks Spintronics and the Graphene Flagship
SciTechEuropa talks Spintronics and the Graphene Flagship
Graphene spin transport takes a step forward towards applications
Researchers from the Graphene Flagship have predicted and demonstrated a giant spin anisotropy in graphene, paving the way for new spintronic logic devices. This landmark collaborative effort shows the Flagship’s role in rapid progress, from theoretical concept to experimental confirmation.
