Non-ballistic spin separator based on Y-shaped nanostructure with a quantum point contact

TL;DR

This paper proposes a Y-shaped nanostructure with a quantum point contact as a spin separator that uses the Zeeman effect to direct electrons of opposite spins into different outputs, functioning also as a spin detector.

Contribution

It introduces a novel spin separator design based on a Y-shaped nanostructure with a quantum point contact, demonstrating robustness against impurities and potential as a spin detection device.

Findings

Effective spin separation achieved through tuning of the quantum point contact and magnetic field.

Robustness of the spin separation effect against impurity scattering.

Device can operate as a spin detector based on electron spin-dependent current flow.

Abstract

A proposal of a spin separator based on the spin Zeeman effect in Y-shaped nanostructure with a quantum point contact is presented. Our calculations show that the appropriate tuning of the quantum point contact potential and the external magnetic field leads to the spin separation of the current: electrons with opposite spins flow through the different output branches. We demonstrate that this effect is robust against the scattering on impurities. The proposed device can also operate as a spin detector, in which -- depending on the electron spin -- the current flows through one of the output branches.