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Development of a spin-injection device utilising Gadolinium Nitride

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thesis
posted on 2021-12-09, 09:19 authored by Pitman, Kira

In this thesis, the first steps in creating a realisable spin-injection transistor using ferromagnetic semiconductor electrodes are detailed. A spin-injection device utilising the ferromagnetic semiconductor gadolinium nitride has been designed, fabricated and electrically tested. In addition, an experimental setup for future measurements of a spin current in spin-injection devices was adapted to our laboratory-based off one developed by the Shiraishi group at Kyoto University. Issues encountered during fabrication were identified, and an optimal method for fabricating these devices was determined. Gadolinium nitride and copper were used to make the devices on Si/SiO2 substrates.  The electrical integrity and applicability of the devices for future measurements of injected spin-current was determined through electrical device testing. Resistance measurements of electrical pathways within the device were undertaken to determine the successful deposition of the gadolinium nitride and copper. IV measurements to determine if the devices could withstand the current required for spin current measurements were done. The durability of the devices through multiple measurement types was observed. It was determined that although spin-injection devices utilising gadolinium nitride can be successfully fabricated, more work needs to be done to ensure that the electrical pathways through the copper and gadolinium nitride can be consistently reproducible to allow spin-injection measurements to be done.

History

Copyright Date

2020-01-01

Date of Award

2020-01-01

Publisher

Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington

Rights License

Author Retains Copyright

Degree Discipline

Physics

Degree Grantor

Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington

Degree Level

Masters

Degree Name

Master of Science

ANZSRC Type Of Activity code

4 EXPERIMENTAL DEVELOPMENT

Victoria University of Wellington Item Type

Awarded Research Masters Thesis

Language

en_NZ

Victoria University of Wellington School

School of Chemical and Physical Sciences

Advisors

Granville, Simon; Ruck, Ben