Spins in two-dimensional materials for tunable magnetic and optoelectronic devices

Project Information

2D-OPTOSPIN

Grant agreement ID: 101076932

DOI

10.3030/101076932

EC signature date 7 December 2022

Start date 1 January 2023

End date 31 December 2027

Funded under

• European Research Council (ERC)

Total cost

€ 1 500 000,00

EU contribution

€ 1 500 000,00

Coordinated by

RIJKSUNIVERSITEIT GRONINGEN
Netherlands

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - 2D-OPTOSPIN (Spins in two-dimensional materials for tunable magnetic and optoelectronic devices)

Reporting period: 2023-01-01 to 2025-06-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The fast development of modern information technology requires smaller devices consuming less energy. Magnetism provides an excellent route for energy-efficient devices, such as hard-disk drives, but they are often slow. Moreover, magnetic information has to be converted into electric currents for it to be transmitted, leading to more power consumption.

In this project we will use atomically-thin two-dimensional materials to combine highly-efficient magnetic devices with optical communication. Specifically, we will integrate magnetic devices with a laser that can convert magnetic information into optical information, i.e. light polarization. This project will pave the way for new generations of information technologies, addressing fundamental aspects along the way.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

We have been actively studying the spin dynamics in two-dimensional semiconductors and further developing the use of two-dimensional materials for spin-torque applications. We have achieved optical and electrical control over two-dimensional magnetic materials [Hendriks, et al., Nature Communications 15, 1298 (2024)], demonstrating how one can control the magnetization and its dynamics optically. This is highly relevant for the integration of two-dimensional magnetic materials in photonic circuits, making them good candidates for photonic memory devices. Additionally, we have demonstrated an enhancement of the spin signals in nonlocal magnon devices using the orbital angular momentum of the electron [Mendoza-Rodarte, et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 132, 226704 (2024)]. This shows us an avenue for boosting the spintronic properties of system by exploiting the orbital degree-of-freedom of carriers, in addition to their spin.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

If successful, 2D-OPTOSPIN will demonstrate the potential of two-dimensional materials for the integration of photonics, spintronics and electronics, using a single material platform. Due to the ever increasing speed of device miniaturization, these materials should provide the ideal platform for this fields since they maintain their excellent optical, magnetic and electronic properties down to the atomic-thickness.