Optical Spintronics: Towards Optical Communication Without Energy Transfer

TL;DR

This paper introduces the concept of optical spin current, enabling transfer of spin angular momentum without energy transfer, and proposes optical spin diodes and circulators for unidirectional spin flow in photonics.

Contribution

It presents the novel idea of optical spin current and designs devices like spin diodes and circulators that control spin flow without energy transfer, advancing optical spintronics.

Findings

Optical spin current can transfer spin angular momentum without energy transfer.

Proposed optical spin diode and circulator enable unidirectional spin flow.

Asymmetric spin transfer demonstrated between quantum dots.

Abstract

Energy, momentum, and angular momentum are fundamental properties tied to the symmetries of space and time, with photons and other elementary particles acting as carriers of these quantities. In most optical and optoelectronic devices, energy transfer is crucial, but it often results in undesirable energy absorption. Moreover, non-reciprocal elements such as optical diodes and circulators are difficult to implement in photonics, as they typically require time-dependent perturbations, nonlinear effects, or external magnetic fields. This presents a significant barrier to the development of efficient, compact photonic technologies. We introduce the concept of optical spin current, wherein spin angular momentum is transferred by an electromagnetic field without accompanying energy transfer. This phenomenon is analogous to electron spin currents, where spin is decoupled from charge flow. Building on this principle, we propose optical spin diode and circulator -- devices that enable unidirectional propagation of spin currents while maintaining bidirectional energy flow, thus preserving reciprocity. Furthermore, we demonstrate asymmetric spin transfer between quantum dots mediated by the optical spin diode, highlighting the potential for novel optical spintronic functionalities. These findings lay the foundation for devices that leverage optical spin transfer, opening new avenues for advancements in optical spintronics.