KOREAN NET

A group of domestic researchers for the first time in the world have enabled quantum spin pumping at room temperature. (iclickart) *[Unauthorized reproduction and redistribution of the above photo is strictly prohibited under copyright laws and regulations.]

By Charles Audouin

Domestic researchers have proven for the first time in the world the phenomenon of quantum spin pumping at room temperature.

The latest finding will enable the development of "spin devices" which do not require electricity, allowing people to use low-power or non-power electronic equipment in the future.

The Ministry of Science and ICT said on Jan., 30, that the London-based international journal "Nature" published a paper on this finding on Jan. 29, written by a joint team comprising researchers from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, and Sogang University.

Known as the phenomena of shifting electrons within a material, electric currents are divided into charge current, generated by the movement of charges, and spin current, generated by the movement of spin, a magnetic property. Electrons have both the electric property of charge and the magnetic property of spin at the same time.

Though mostly operated by charge current, electronic equipment loses energy efficiency when it generates heat. To address such an issue, scientists have conducted research on making electron devices using "spintronics," or spin current.

Using the phenomenon of transition that the magnetic properties of an alloy of iron and rhodium change even at room temperature, the team successfully produced quantum spin pumping, which used to be observed only at extremely low temperatures, at room temperature.

"Spin pumping" refers to the phenomenon in which spin, a magnetic property of electrons, moves from a magnetic material to a non-magnetic material when both magnetic and non-magnetic materials are joined.

"The latest research holds significance in that the quantum spin pumping has been observed at room temperature," the ministry said in a news release, adding, "It presents a method of generating spin current more than ten times higher than those produced from the existing classical mechanical method, and is expected to contribute to the development of next-generation electronic devices."

caudouin@korea.kr