Current-induced nuclear-spin activation in a two-dimensional electron gas

TL;DR

This study demonstrates that small electrical currents can induce and enhance nuclear spin polarization in a two-dimensional electron gas, enabling easier manipulation of nuclear spins through simple current switching.

Contribution

It reveals that modest dc-current bias can dynamically activate and enhance nuclear spin polarization in a 2D electron gas, a novel method for nuclear spin control.

Findings

Small dc-current bias induces nuclear spin signals.

Current flow can re-activate and enhance nuclear polarization.

Nuclear spin manipulation is achievable via simple current switching.

Abstract

Electrically detected nuclear magnetic resonance was studied in detail in a two-dimensional electron gas as a function of current bias and temperature. We show that applying a relatively modest dc-current bias, I_dc ~ 0.5 microAmps, can induce a re-entrant and even enhanced nuclear spin signal compared with the signal obtained under similar thermal equilibrium conditions at zero current bias. Our observations suggest that dynamic nuclear spin polarization by small current flow is possible in a two-dimensional electron gas, allowing for easy manipulation of the nuclear spin by simple switching of a dc current.