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Spin-Dependent Quantum Interference in Nonlocal Graphene Spin Valves

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journal contribution
posted on 2014-05-14, 00:00 authored by M. H. D. Guimarães, P. J. Zomer, I. J. Vera-Marun, B. J. van Wees
Up to date, all spin transport experiments on graphene were done in a semiclassical regime, disregarding quantum transport properties such as phase coherence and interference. Here we show that in a quantum coherent graphene nanostructure the nonlocal voltage is strongly modulated. Using nonlocal measurements, we separate the signal in spin-dependent and spin-independent contributions. We show that the spin-dependent contribution is about 2 orders of magnitude larger than the spin-independent one, when corrected for the finite polarization of the electrodes. The nonlocal spin signal is not only strongly modulated but also changes polarity as a function of the applied gate voltage. By locally tuning the carrier density in the constriction via a side gate electrode we show that the constriction plays a major role in this effect. Our results show the potential of quantum coherent graphene nanostructures for the use in future spintronic devices.

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