A molecular-spin photovoltaic device

TL;DR

This paper reports the development of a C60-based molecular spin photovoltaic device that combines photovoltaic and spin transport functionalities, showing magnetic field-dependent responses and potential for sensing applications.

Contribution

It introduces a novel molecular device integrating spin transport with photovoltaic response, demonstrating magnetic control of photovoltaic effects at room temperature.

Findings

Magnetophotovoltage up to 5% at room temperature.

Magnetic current inverter functionality.

Diverging magnetocurrent at specific illumination levels.

Abstract

We fabricated a C60-based molecular spin photovoltaic device that integrated a photovoltaic response with the spin transport across the molecular layer. The photovoltaic response can be modified under the application of a small magnetic field, with a magnetophotovoltage of up to 5% at room temperature. Device functionalities include a magnetic current inverter and the presence of diverging magnetocurrent at certain illumination levels that could be useful for sensing. Completely spin-polarized currents could be created by balancing the external partially spin polarized injection with the photogenerated carriers.