Controlling spin in an electronic interferometer with spin-active interfaces

TL;DR

This paper investigates how spin-dependent phase shifts at interfaces in a quantum wire can be used to control spin transport, leading to tunable magnetoresistance effects for potential spintronic applications.

Contribution

It demonstrates that spin-dependent interfacial phase shifts can induce tunable spin splitting and giant magnetoresistance in a ballistic quantum wire, offering a new method for spin control.

Findings

Spin-dependent phase shifts cause tunable spin splitting.

Gate voltage and magnetic field control magnetoresistance sign.

Potential for spin manipulation in quantum wires.

Abstract

We consider electronic current transport through a ballistic one-dimensional quantum wire connected to two ferromagnetic leads. We study the effects of the spin-dependence of interfacial phase shifts (SDIPS) acquired by electrons upon scattering at the boundaries of the wire. The SDIPS produces a spin splitting of the wire resonant energies which is tunable with the gate voltage and the angle between the ferromagnetic polarizations. This property could be used for manipulating spins. In particular, it leads to a giant magnetoresistance effect with a sign tunable with the gate voltage and the magnetic field applied to the wire.