Spin nomenclature for semiconductors and magnetic metals

The different conventions used in the semiconductor and magnetic metals communities can cause confusion in the context of spin polarization and transport in simple heterostructures. In semiconductors, terminology is based on the orientation of the electron spin, while in magnetic metals it is based...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of magnetism and magnetic materials 2004-06, Vol.277 (1), p.24-28
Main Authors: Jonker, B.T., Hanbicki, A.T., Pierce, D.T., Stiles, M.D.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties
Electronic transport in condensed matter
Exact sciences and technology
Magnetic properties and materials
Magnetotronics
Physics
Selection rule
Spin injection
Spin polarization
Spin polarized transport
Spin transport
Spin-LED
Spintronics
Studies of specific magnetic materials
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Summary:The different conventions used in the semiconductor and magnetic metals communities can cause confusion in the context of spin polarization and transport in simple heterostructures. In semiconductors, terminology is based on the orientation of the electron spin, while in magnetic metals it is based on the orientation of the moment. In the rapidly expanding field of spintronics, where both semiconductors and magnetic metals are important, some commonly used terms (“spin-up”, “majority spin”) can have different meanings. Here, we clarify nomenclature relevant to spin transport and optical polarization by relating the common physical observables and “definitions” of spin polarization to the fundamental concept of conservation of angular momentum within a well-defined reference frame.
ISSN:0304-8853
DOI:10.1016/j.jmmm.2003.09.051