Theory of spin caloric transport / spin caloritronics

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Gerrit E.W. Bauer
• Subject Area: Theoretical Condensed Matter Physics
• Term: from 2011 to 2018
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 198469174

By the methods of theoretical physics we will help understand spin, charge, and heat transport coupled to the magnetization dynamics in hybrid magnetic nanostructures consisting of metals, semiconductors and insulators. Our studies of spin currents in magnetic insulators such as Yttrium-Iron-Garnets may enable future technologies for, e.g., low-dissipation and low-crosstalk spin-based interconnects, electro-magnetic interference-less communication pathways, and spin transistors with gain. Thermoelectric engines based on insulators may become superior since they are no limited by the proportionality between thermal and electrical conductivities. The new physics of these phenomena is believed to be caused by the spin-transfer torque and spin pumping via the exchange interaction at the interface between a normal metal carrying a spin accumulation and a magnet. We will investigate the non-equilibrium thermodynamics of the generation and detection of spin waves at such interfaces and set up an integrated transport theory for a hybrid metallic and insulator magnetoelectronics. In collaboration with other groups the better understanding will open pathways to engineer the coupling of the spin waves to external (thermo)electric circuits and assess the potential of a spin-wave based nanoelectronics. Closely related and experimentally relevant topics to be also studied are the damping of magnetization dynamics in (layered structures with) magnetic insulators, heat-current-induced motion of magnetization textures and the thermal spin and anomalous Hall effect family

• DFG Programme: Priority Programmes
• Subproject of: SPP 1538: Spin Caloric Transport (SpinCaT)
• International Connection: Netherlands