Disorder May Be in Order for ‘Spintronic’ Devices

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JILA research shows that electrons tend to hold consistent acutespinsacute longer in low-energy disordered areas of a semiconductor (representing by the valleys of the cartoon) while spinning more erratically in higher-energy areas of a perfect cryst ...
JILA research shows that electrons tend to hold consistent 'spins' longer in low-energy, disordered areas of a semiconductor (representing by the valleys of the cartoon), while spinning more erratically in higher-energy areas of a perfect crystal where movement is more fluid (represented by the mountains and air). Credit: J. Fal/JILA

Physicists at JILA are using ultrashort pulses of laser light to reveal precisely why some electrons, like ballet dancers, hold their spin positions better than others—work that may help improve spintronic devices, which exploit the magnetism or “spin” of electrons in addition to or instead of their charge. One thing spinning electrons like, it turns out, is some disorder.


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