Logical XOR gate response in a quantum interferometer: A spin dependent transport

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a quantum interferometer that exhibits XOR gate behavior based on spin-dependent transport, tunable by magnetic flux and local magnetic moments, suggesting potential for spin-based logic devices.

Contribution

It introduces a spin-dependent quantum interferometer that functions as a logical XOR gate, controlled by magnetic flux and magnetic moment orientations, advancing spintronic logic design.

Findings

XOR gate response observed at half flux quantum

Transport properties depend on magnetic flux and magnetic moment orientation

Potential application in spin-based electronic logic gates

Abstract

We examine spin dependent transport in a quantum interferometer composed of magnetic atomic sites based on transfer matrix formalism. The interferometer, threaded by a magnetic flux $\phi$, is symmetrically attached to two semi-infinite one-dimensional (1D) non-magnetic electrodes, namely, source and drain. A simple tight-binding model is used to describe the bridge system, and, here we address numerically the conductance-energy and current-voltage characteristics as functions of the interferometer-to-electrode coupling strength, magnetic flux and the orientation of local the magnetic moments associated with each atomic site. Quite interestingly it is observed that, for $\phi=\phi_0/2$ ($\phi_0=ch/e$, the elementary flux-quantum) a logical XOR gate like response is observed, depending on the orientation of the local magnetic moments associated with the magnetic atoms in the upper and lower arms of the interferometer, and it can be changed by an externally applied gate magnetic field. This aspect may be utilized in designing a spin based electronic logic gate.