Spin-dependent transport and magnetism in spin filter/silicon heterostructures

• Applicant: Professorin Dr. Martina Müller
• Subject Area: Experimental Condensed Matter Physics
• Term: from 2010 to 2014
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 174429350

In this project, we propose the first studies of establishing spin filter tunnel contacts to the technologically most relevant semiconductor, silicon. In recent years, the field of spintronics has progressed rapidly, driven by the perspective to utilize the electron s spin degree of freedom for new applications. Numerous concepts have been envisioned for efficient spin injection and -detection, such as dedicated ferromagnet-insulator contacts based on magnetic random access memory cell achitectures. Still missing, however, are spintronic injector/-detector materials with high spin polarization and the ability to be conductance matched and epitaxially integrated with silicon. Our project aims at bridging this gap, demonstrating „spin filter functionality in highly spin-selective, resistivity-matched magnetic semiconductor tunnel contacts grown directly on silicon. We expect, that our proposed work will open up an exciting category of ferromagnetic materials for spin injection and -detection in semiconductors and provide a fundamental understanding on magnetism, interface control and spin transport of magnetic semiconductor/silicon heterostructures.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants