Tuesday 23 September 2025
In a breakthrough that could revolutionize the way we think about spintronics, researchers have successfully demonstrated the ability to generate and control spin currents using linearly polarized light in a monolayer of Janus NbSSe. This material, a type of transition metal dichalcogenide (TMDC), has been shown to exhibit unique properties that make it an ideal candidate for next-generation optospintronic technologies.
For those unfamiliar, spintronics is a field of study that focuses on the manipulation and control of spin currents in materials. Unlike traditional electronics, which rely on charge flow to operate, spintronics uses the spin of electrons to process information. This approach has the potential to be much faster and more energy-efficient than traditional methods.
The researchers used first-principles calculations to investigate the properties of Janus NbSSe, a material that is composed of two layers of different TMDCs stacked on top of each other. They found that the material’s unique crystal structure allows it to exhibit strong spin-orbit coupling (SOC), which is essential for generating and controlling spin currents.
The team then used linearly polarized light to excite the electrons in the material, causing them to generate spin currents. By carefully tuning the properties of the light, they were able to selectively drive spin currents with different spin components, a feat that has significant implications for the development of spin-based devices.
One of the most exciting aspects of this research is its potential application to the development of all-optical spintronic devices. These devices would be capable of manipulating and controlling spin currents without the need for electrical contacts, which could greatly reduce power consumption and increase speed.
The researchers believe that their findings could have significant implications for a wide range of fields, from data storage and processing to quantum computing and communication. The ability to generate and control spin currents using light could enable the development of new types of devices that are faster, more efficient, and more reliable than those currently available.
While there is still much work to be done before these technologies become a reality, this breakthrough represents an important step forward in the field of spintronics. As researchers continue to explore the properties of Janus NbSSe and other TMDCs, we can expect to see significant advances in our understanding of spin-based phenomena and the development of new devices that take advantage of these effects.
Cite this article: “Controlling Spin Currents with Light: A Breakthrough for Next-Generation Optospintronic Technologies”, The Science Archive, 2025.
Spintronics, Optospintronic, Janus Nbsse, Transition Metal Dichalcogenide, Spin-Orbit Coupling, Linearly Polarized Light, Spin Currents, All-Optical Spintronic Devices, Quantum Computing, Data Storage
