No abstract

We present a theoretical analysis of the capacitance of a double quantum dot in the charge and spin qubit configurations probed at high-frequencies. We find that, in general, the total capacitance of the system consists of two state-dependent terms: The quantum capacitance arising from adiabatic charge motion and the tunnelling capacitance that appears when repopulation occurs at a rate comparable or faster than the probing frequency. The analysis of the capacitance lineshape as a function of externally controllable variables offers a way to characterize the qubits' charge and spin state as well as relevant system parameters such as charge and spin relaxation times, tunnel coupling, electron temperature and electron g-factor. Overall, our analysis provides a formalism to understand dispersive qubit-resonator interactions which can be applied to high-sensitivity and non-invasive quantum-state readout.

Antiferromagnets are enriching spintronics research by many favorable properties that include insensitivity to magnetic fields, neuromorphic memory characteristics, and ultra-fast spin dynamics. Designing memory devices with electrical writing and reading is one of the central topics of antiferromagnetic spintronics. So far, such a combined functionality has been demonstrated via 90° reorientations of the Néel vector generated by the current-induced spin orbit torque and sensed by the linear-response anisotropic magnetoresistance. Here we show that in the same antiferromagnetic CuMnAs films as used in these earlier experiments we can also control 180° Néel vector reversals by switching the polarity of the writing current. Moreover, the two stable states with opposite Néel vector orientations in this collinear antiferromagnet can be electrically distinguished by measuring a second-order magnetoresistance effect. We discuss the general magnetic point group symmetries allowing for this electrical readout effect and its specific microscopic origin in CuMnAs.

Ultrafast electrical switching by current-induced staggered spin-orbit fields, with minimal risk of overshoot, is shown in layered easy-plane antiferromagnets with basal-plane biaxial anisotropy. The reliable switching is due to the field-like torque, relaxing stringent requirements with respect to precision in the time-duration of the excitation pulse. We investigate the switching characteristics as a function of the spin-orbit field strength, pulse duration, pulse rise and fall time and damping by atomistic spin dynamics simulations and an effective equation of motion for the antiferromagnetic order-parameter. The condition, determining the critical spin-orbit field strength for switching is determined and we go on to show that robust picosecond writing is possible at feasible current magnitudes.