Chiral‐Molecule‐Based Spintronic Devices

Abstract

Spintronics and molecular chemistry have achieved remarkable achievements separately. Their combination can apply the superiority of molecular diversity to intervene or manipulate the spin‐related properties. It inevitably brings in a new type of functional devices with a molecular interface, which has become an emerging field in information storage and processing. Normally, spin polarization has to be realized by magnetic materials as manipulated by magnetic fields. Recently, chiral‐induced spin selectivity (CISS) was discovered surprisingly that non‐magnetic chiral molecules can generate spin polarization through their structural chirality. Here, the recent progress of integrating the strengths of molecular chemistry and spintronics is reviewed by introducing the experimental results, theoretical models, and device performances of the CISS effect. Compared to normal ferromagnetic metals, CISS originating from a chiral structure has great advantages of high spin polarization, excellent interface, simple preparation process, and low cost. It has the potential to obtain high efficiency of spin injection into metals and semiconductors, getting rid of magnetic fields and ferromagnetic electrodes. The physical mechanisms, unique advantages, and device performances of CISS are sequentially clarified, revealing important issues to current scientific research and industrial applications. This mini‐review points out a key technology of information storage for future spintronic devices without magnetic components.

Common Trends of Chiral Induced Spin Selectivity and Optical Dichroism with Varying Helix Pitch: A First‐Principles Study

“…Chiral induced spin selectivity (CISS) is a phenomenon where an electron with one spin orientation has a larger probability of transmission over the other spin orientation while travelling through a diamagnetic chiral molecule or solid of specific handedness. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] This is referred to as spin polarization. Often, the structures in which CISS is observed are helical molecules (e. g. deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) or peptides).…”

Nanofabrication of hybrid nanomaterials: Macroscopically aligned nanoparticles pattern via directed self‐assembly of block copolymers

“…For example, palladium and platinum NPs have been shown to exhibit unexpectedly large magnetic saturation in comparison to their bulk materials. [1][2][3] Based on the useful properties resulting from the quantum confinement effect, inorganic NPs can be utilized for diverse of applications, such as storage media, optoelectronic devices, multi-contact tracks, solar panels, and biological domain. However, unless a stabilizing method is used, inorganic NPs can agglomerate and reconstitute into the bulk material, which hinder the utility of NPs.…”

“…Within the hybrid materials the NPs are desirable for their useful magnetic, optical, and electronic properties owed to the quantum confinement effect. For example, palladium and platinum NPs have been shown to exhibit unexpectedly large magnetic saturation in comparison to their bulk materials 1–3 . Based on the useful properties resulting from the quantum confinement effect, inorganic NPs can be utilized for diverse of applications, such as storage media, optoelectronic devices, multi‐contact tracks, solar panels, and biological domain.…”

Common Trends of Chiral Induced Spin Selectivity and Optical Dichroism with Varying Helix Pitch: A First-Principles Study

“…Chiral induced spin selectivity (CISS) is a phenomenon where an electron with one spin orientation has a larger probability of transmission over the other spin orientation while travelling through a diamagnetic chiral molecule or solid of specific handedness. [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14] This is referred to as spin polarization. Often, the structures in which CISS is observed are helical molecules (e.g.…”