Spintronics in antiferromagnetic helix: A new prescription

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that spin polarization can be achieved in antiferromagnetic helixes without electric fields, using non-uniform magnetic moments, opening new avenues for spintronic applications in zero-net-magnetization systems.

Contribution

It introduces a novel method to generate spin polarization in antiferromagnetic systems without electric fields by employing non-uniform magnetic moments in a helix structure.

Findings

High spin polarization achieved without electric field

Correlation in magnetic moments enhances polarization

Results applicable over broad physical parameters

Abstract

The occurrence of a finite mismatch between the up and down spin energy channels due to the application of an electric field, leading to the generation of a polarized spin current from an unpolarized beam in antiferromagnetic materials, has already been established. But, in this work, we report for the first time that even in the absence of any electric field, spin polarization can be achieved. We choose a tight-binding antiferromagnetic helix, where the strengths of magnetic moments at different lattice sites are non-uniform. The non-uniformity is introduced in two distinct forms, correlated and uncorrelated, and in each case we find a high degree of spin polarization. The Greens formalism is used to compute the results under various input conditions, and the results are valid for a broad range of physical parameters. Our analysis can open up a new direction of getting spin selectivity in different magnetic systems with zero net magnetization, in the absence of an electric field.