Magnetoelectric Spin Control in Nanostructures

Atomic spin-orbit interactions (SOIs) result in interesting dynamical properties on electronic nanostructures. These systems, accessible experimentally on metallic surfaces, semiconducting heterostructures, and carbon nanotubes, to name a few, allow the exploration of symplectic symmetries on a number of measurable quantities. 

In this talk we will discuss how SOIs result in interesting magnetoelectric effects at the atomic scale when considering adatoms on surfaces. We will describe how quantum corrals made with magnetic atoms allow one to control the spectral properties of quantum systems located inside, via the application of moderate magnetic fields. The unique features of the electronic states in the corral allow for tunableKondo screening effects, among other things [1].

Similarly, we will discuss the ability to control the spin polarization of current (without magnetic fields) through carbon nanotubes wrapped helically with polar molecules, such as DNA [2].

These properties provide powerful alternative tools for probing spintronic properties at the atomic scale.

[1] A. T. Ngo, J. Rodriguez-Laguna, S. E. Ulloa, and E. H. Kim, Nano Letters 12, 13–16 (2012).

[2] G. S. Diniz, A. Latge, and S. E. Ulloa, Phys. Rev. Lett. 108, 126601 (2012).