The Quantum Breakthrough: Researchers Discover a Novel Method to Manipulate Electrons

Electrons are primarily known for their negative charge, which drives electric currents, but they also possess spin—a magnetic property with vast potential for advancing data storage technology. However, effectively controlling electron spin remains a challenge.

Harnessing Spin Through Ferromagnetic Materials and Chiral Molecules

One common method to align electron spin involves passing an electric current through a ferromagnetic material, such as iron. This process polarizes the electrons’ spin in alignment with the material’s magnetic field.

Alternatively, researchers have been exploring chiral molecules—structures that lack a superimposable mirror image, like helices—to achieve spin polarization. Studies suggest these molecules can induce spin polarization at levels comparable to ferromagnetic materials, around 60–70%. Despite promising results, this approach remains a topic of debate in the scientific community.

Confirming Chiral-Induced Spin Selectivity (CISS)

A research team at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) has now confirmed the existence of chiral-induced spin selectivity (CISS). Instead of passing an electric charge directly through chiral molecules, the team created a hybrid system, coating a thin gold film with chiral molecules. Although most of the current flowed through the gold, the presence of chiral molecules altered the gold’s electronic state.

The researchers examined how spin current converted into charge current. In pure gold films, about 3% of spin current transforms into charge, regardless of the electron’s spin orientation. However, in the gold-chiral molecule hybrid system, the conversion rate varied significantly based on the molecule’s handedness.

When right-handed chiral molecules coated the gold surface, electrons with spin-up converted more efficiently into charge than those with spin-down. The opposite effect occurred with left-handed molecules. This demonstrated that spin-to-charge conversion depends on molecular chirality.

Directional Influence of Spin and Chirality

The effect also proved to be vectorial, as explained by Professor Angela Wittmann of JGU. If the helical structure of the chiral molecule pointed upward, the spin current conversion occurred only when the electron spin was aligned in the same or directly opposite direction. If the spin orientation deviated from this alignment, the effect vanished.

“These findings contribute significantly to the recognition of spin selectivity and the role chiral molecules play in influencing electron spin,” Wittmann concluded. This breakthrough enhances understanding of spintronics and could pave the way for innovative applications in quantum computing and data storage.

Read Original Article: Scitechdaily

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