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Nanosensors and Spintronics

* Exchange students do not have to consider this information when selecting suitable courses for an exchange stay.

Course Unit Code9360-0171/01
Number of ECTS Credits Allocated3 ECTS credits
Type of Course Unit *Choice-compulsory type A
Level of Course Unit *Second Cycle
Year of Study *Second Year
Semester when the Course Unit is deliveredSummer Semester
Mode of DeliveryFace-to-face
Language of InstructionCzech
Prerequisites and Co-Requisites Course succeeds to compulsory courses of previous semester
Name of Lecturer(s)Personal IDName
POS40doc. Dr. Mgr. Kamil Postava
Summary
This subject provides the introduction into the field of spintronics, i.e. electronics that uses the spin of the electron as the information carrier. The subject covers the main branches of this field. It starts with the basics of relativistic quantum mechanics and spin angular momentum, which are the basic tools for the physics of electron spins. Spin current and its flow and generation in nanostructures is also covered. Furthermore, important magnetoresistance effects (AMR, GMR, TMR) are discussed along with the spin transfer torque on the magnetization. Other spintronic effects such as spin Hall effect, Rashba effect and spintronics of semiconductors conclude the subject.
Learning Outcomes of the Course Unit
Modify and reconstruct the mathematical models for the description of electromagnetic waves propagation in nanostructures.
Formulate the physical fundamentals for nanosensors and spintronics.
Evaluate and predict the applications.
Course Contents
1. Special theory of relativity, Maxwell equations, Minkowski spacetime, electromagnetic tensor
2. Orbital and spin angular momentum, spin operators, Pauli matrices, spin-orbit interaction
3. Spin accumulation and spin current, Valet-Fert theory
4. Lateral spin transport, spin injection, electrical detection of spin current
5. Anisotropic magnetoresistance (AMR), giant magnetoresistance (GMR), tunnel magnetoresistance (TMR)
6. Spin-transfer torque (STT), spin pumping, domain walls
7.-8. Spintronic devices, magnetoresistive memory (MRAM)
9.-10. Hall effect, anomalous Hall effect, spin Hall effect
11.-12. Materials for spintronics, half-metals, Heusler alloys
13. Spin diffusion length, Rashba effect
Recommended or Required Reading
Required Reading:
Teruya Shinjo (Editor), Nanomagnetism and Spintronics, Elsevier (2009).
S. Maekawa, Concepts in spin-electronics, Oxford University Press (2006).
F.J. Jedema, PhD. thesis, University of Groningen, The Netherlands (2002).
T. Valet and A. Fert, Theory of the perpendicular magnetoresistance in magnetic multilayers, Phys. Rev. B 48, 7099 (1993).
T. Yang, T. Kimura and Y. Otani, Giant spin-accumulation signal and pure spin-current-induced reversible magnetization switching, Nature Physics 4, 851 (2008).
Teruya Shinjo (Editor), Nanomagnetism and Spintronics, Elsevier (2009).
S. Maekawa, Concepts in spin-electronics, Oxford University Press (2006).
F.J. Jedema, PhD. thesis, University of Groningen, The Netherlands (2002).
T. Yang, T. Kimura and Y. Otani, Giant spin-accumulation signal and pure spin-current-induced reversible magnetization switching, Nature Physics 4, 851 (2008).
Recommended Reading:
A. C. Grimes, E. C. Dickey, M.V. Pishko.: Encyclopedia of Sensors, American Scientific Publishers, 10 dílů, ISBN: 1-59883-056-X, 2005.
P. Strange, Relativistic Quantum Mechanics, Cambridge University Press 1998.
A. C. Grimes, E. C. Dickey, M.V. Pishko.: Encyclopedia of Sensors, American Scientific Publishers, 10 dílů, ISBN: 1-59883-056-X, 2005.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
Lectures, Tutorials
Assesment methods and criteria
Task TitleTask TypeMaximum Number of Points
(Act. for Subtasks)
Minimum Number of Points for Task Passing
Credit and ExaminationCredit and Examination100 51
        CreditCredit 
        ExaminationExamination