Magnon spintronics: conduction without moving electrons

Moving electrons that are continually colliding with a range of impurities in a material cause electric conduction. In this research programme the researchers want to convert electrical currents into currents through magnetic, non-conducting materials in a controlled manner. These currents through the stated magnetic materials are carried by magnons or spin waves, wave-like movements that arise in the magnetic properties of the material. In this type of current the electrons virtually stand still, as a result of which the energy loss remains limited. The ultimate aim of the programme is the development of new materials and devices that can realise magnonic currents with virtually no energy loss.

The conversion of electrical currents into magnonic currents is based on the so-called spin property of the electron, a sort of built-in compass needle. The spin property can interact with magnetic properties at the interface of magnetic and non-magnetic materials and by doing this generate the magnonic currents. By developing new materials and interfaces this excitation can be made so efficient that at room temperature a Bose-Einstein condensate of magnons is created. This material state gives rise to superconductivity – conduction without energy loss – of the magnons.

Rembert Duine, programme leader: "This programme stretches from materials science to theoretical physics and covers everything in between. The broad expertise of the researchers involved in this programme will enable us to force breakthroughs in this active and internationally competitive discipline."

This programme is a collaboration between: 

• Utrecht University: R.A. Duine;
• University of Groningen: B.J. van Wees en T.T.M Palstra;
• Delft University of Technology and Sendai, Japan: G.E.W. Bauer.