Spin field effect transistor with a graphene channel

A spin field effect transistor (FET) is proposed by utilizing a graphene layer as the channel. Similar to the conventional spin FETs, the device involves spin injection and spin detection by ferromagnetic source and drain. Due to the negligible spin-orbit coupling in the carbon based materials, spin manipulation in the channel is achieved via electrical control of the electron exchange interaction with a ferromagnetic gate dielectric. Numerical estimates indicate the feasibility of the concept if the bias can induce a change in the exchange interaction energy of the order of meV. When nanoribbons are used for a finite channel width, those with armchair-type edges can maintain the device stability against the thermal dispersion. (C) 2007 American Institute of Physics.