Transport phenomena in spin caloritronics

Spin-dependent thermoelectric properties of a hybrid ferromagnetic metal/quantum dot/topological insulator junction

The thermoelectric properties of hybrid system based on a single-level quantum dot coupled to a ferromagnetic metallic lead and attached to the surface states of a three-dimensional topological insulator are theoretically investigated. On the surface of a three-dimensional topological insulator, massless helical Dirac fermions emerge. We calculate the thermoelectric coefficients, including electrical conductance, Seebeck coefficient (thermopower), heat conductance, and the figure of merit, using the nonequilibrium Green's function technique. The results are analyzed in terms of the emergence of new effects. The calculations are performed within the Hubbard I approximation concerning the dot's Coulomb interactions. Additionally, the spin-dependent coupling of the quantum dot to the ferromagnetic lead lifts the spin degeneracy of the dot's level, which influences the transport properties of the system. We incorporate this effect perturbatively to obtain the spin-dependent renormalization of the dot's level. We also consider the case of finite spin accumulation in the ferromagnetic electrode, which leads to spin thermoelectric effects.

Prediction methods for phonon transport properties of inorganic crystals: from traditional approaches to artificial intelligence

In inorganic crystals, phonons are the elementary excitations describing the collective atomic motions. The study of phonons plays an important role in terms of understanding thermal transport behavior and acoustic properties, as well as exploring the interactions between phonons and other energy carriers in materials. Thus, efficient and accurate prediction of phonon transport properties such as thermal conductivity is crucial for revealing, designing, and regulating material properties to meet practical requirements. In this paper, typical strategies used to predict phonon transport properties in modern science and technologies are introduced, and relevant achievements are emphasized. Moreover, insights into the remaining challenges as well as future directions of phonon transport-related exploration are proposed. The viewpoints of this paper are expected to provide a valuable reference to the community and inspire relevant research studies on predicting phonon transport properties in the near future.

Spin caloritronics as a probe of nonunitary superconductors

Superconducting spintronics explores the interplay between superconductivity and magnetism, sparking substantial interest in nonunitary superconductors as a platform for magneto-superconducting phenomena. However, identifying nonunitary superconductors remains challenging. We demonstrate that spin current driven by thermal gradients sensitively probes the nature of the condensate in nonunitary superconductors. Spin polarization of the condensate in momentum space induces the superconducting spin Seebeck effect, where a spin current is generated along thermal gradients without a thermoelectric charge current. Notably, the nonvanishing superconducting spin Seebeck effect provides a smoking gun evidence of nonunitary superconductivity because it reflects the spin polarization of the condensate in momentum space, irrespective of whether the net pair spin magnetization vanishes. At the same time, the spin chirality of the condensate induces the spin Nernst effect, where a spin current is generated perpendicular to thermal gradients in nonunitary superconductors. These spin caloritronic phenomena offer a definitive probe of nonunitary superconductors.

Spin caloritronics in metallic superlattices

Spin caloritronics, a research field studying on the interconversion between a charge current (Jc) and a heat current (Jq) mediated by a spin current (Js) and/or magnetization (M), has attracted much attention not only for academic interest but also for practical applications. Newly discovered spin-caloritronic phenomena such as the spin Seebeck effect (SSE) have stimulated the renewed interest in the thermoelectric phenomena of a magnet, which have been known for a long time, e.g. the anomalous Nernst effect (ANE). These spin-caloritronic phenomena involving the SSE and the ANE have provided with a new direction for thermoelectric conversion exploitingJsand/orM. Importantly, the symmetry of ANE allows the thermoelectric conversion in the transverse configuration betweenJqandJc. Although the transverse configuration is totally different from the conventional longitudinal configuration based on the Seebeck effect and has many advantages, we are still facing several issues that need to be solved before developing practical applications. The primal issue is the improvement of conversion efficiency. In the case of ANE-based applications, a material with a large anomalous Nernst coefficient (SANE) is the key for solving the issue. This review article introduces the increase ofSANEcan be achieved by forming superlattice structures, which has been demonstrated for several kinds of materials combinations. The overall picture of studies on spin caloritronics is first surveyed. Then, we mention the pioneering work on the transverse thermoelectric conversion in superlattice structures, which was performed using Fe-based metallic superlattices, and show the recent studies for the Ni-based metallic superlattices and the ordered alloy-based metallic superlattices.

Transition Metal Dichalcogenides: Making Atomic-Level Magnetism Tunable with Light at Room Temperature

The capacity to manipulate magnetization in 2D dilute magnetic semiconductors (2D-DMSs) using light, specifically in magnetically doped transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) monolayers (M-doped TX2 , where M = V, Fe, and Cr; T = W, Mo; X = S, Se, and Te), may lead to innovative applications in spintronics, spin-caloritronics, valleytronics, and quantum computation. This Perspective paper explores the mediation of magnetization by light under ambient conditions in 2D-TMD DMSs and heterostructures. By combining magneto-LC resonance (MLCR) experiments with density functional theory (DFT) calculations, we show that the magnetization can be enhanced using light in V-doped TMD monolayers (e.g., V-WS2 , V-WSe2 ). This phenomenon is attributed to excess holes in the conduction and valence bands, and carriers trapped in magnetic doping states, mediating the magnetization of the semiconducting layer. In 2D-TMD heterostructures (VSe2 /WS2 , VSe2 /MoS2 ), the significance of proximity, charge-transfer, and confinement effects in amplifying light-mediated magnetism is demonstrated. We attributed this to photon absorption at the TMD layer that generates electron-hole pairs mediating the magnetization of the heterostructure. These findings will encourage further research in the field of 2D magnetism and establish a novel design of 2D-TMDs and heterostructures with optically tunable magnetic functionalities, paving the way for next-generation magneto-optic nanodevices.

Observation of the Anisotropic Magneto-Thomson Effect

We report the observation of the anisotropic magneto-Thomson effect (AMTE), which is one of the higher-order thermoelectric effects in a ferromagnet. Using lock-in thermography, we demonstrated that in a ferromagnetic NiPt alloy, the cooling or heating induced by the Thomson effect depends on the angle between the magnetization direction and the temperature gradient or charge current applied to the alloy. AMTE observed here is the missing ferromagnetic analog of the magneto-Thomson effect in a nonmagnetic conductor, providing the basis for nonlinear spin caloritronics and thermoelectrics.

Ultra-thin magnetic film with giant phonon-drag for heat to spin current conversion

A tightly confined 2D electron gas with good carrier mobility and large spin-polarization is an essential ingredient for the implementation of spin-caloritronic conversion device technology. Here we give evidence that the SrTiO3/EuTiO3/LaAlO3 heterostructure is a prototype material for this purpose. The presence of Eu induces strong spin-polarization in the 2D electron gas spontaneously formed at the interface and ferromagnetic order at low temperature. Furthermore, tight 2D confinement and spin-polarization can be highly enhanced upon charge depletion, in turn generating huge thermopower associated with the phonon-drag mechanism. Most importantly, the remarkable difference in the population of the two spin channels results in the giant spin-polarized Seebeck effect and in turn, giant spin voltages of mV K-1 order at the two ends of an applied thermal gradient. Our results represent a strong assessment to the capabilities of this interface for low-temperature spin-caloritronic applications.

Magnetic Field and Temperature-Dependent Brillouin Light Scattering Spectra of Magnons in Yttrium Iron Garnet

Knowledge of the magnon responses to an external magnetic field and temperature is significant for spintronics applications. Herein, exploiting Brillouin light scattering (BLS) spectroscopy, we investigate the magnetic field and temperature dependence of the magnon frequency, line width, and intensity in yttrium iron garnet (YIG). The applied magnetic field here can effectively change the magnon frequency while maintaining the lifetime of the magnon. Specifically, we determine the temperature dependence of magnon frequency and the linear relationship between magneto-optic effects-related terms (|A(+)|2/|A(-)|2) and temperature below room temperature (RT), which can serve as a temperature sensor. Our results open an avenue to sense the temperature and the external magnetic field, including the effective magnetic field induced by the magnetic proximity effect. Furthermore, our results provide a route toward designing the operating frequency and loss of the devices, facilitating future research in spin-related applications, including magnon-based logic, memory, sensing, and thermospin devices.

Sm-Co-based amorphous alloy films for zero-field operation of transverse thermoelectric generation

Transverse thermoelectric generation using magnetic materials is essential to develop active thermal engineering technologies, for which the improvements of not only the thermoelectric output but also applicability and versatility are required. In this study, using combinatorial material science and lock-in thermography technique, we have systematically investigated the transverse thermoelectric performance of Sm-Co-based alloy films. The high-throughput material investigation revealed the best Sm-Co-based alloys with the large anomalous Nernst effect (ANE) as well as the anomalous Ettingshausen effect (AEE). In addition to ANE/AEE, we discovered unique and superior material properties in these alloys: the amorphous structure, low thermal conductivity, and large in-plane coercivity and remanent magnetization. These properties make it advantageous over conventional materials to realize heat flux sensing applications based on ANE, as our Sm-Co-based films can generate thermoelectric output without an external magnetic field. Importantly, the amorphous nature enables the fabrication of these films on various substrates including flexible sheets, making the large-scale and low-cost manufacturing easier. Our demonstration will provide a pathway to develop flexible transverse thermoelectric devices for smart thermal management.

A robust spin-dependent Seebeck effect and remarkable spin thermoelectric performance in graphether nanoribbons

The generation of spin currents is a significant issue in spintronics. A spin current can be induced by a temperature gradient in the spin-dependent Seebeck effect, which has attracted growing interest over recent years. Herein we propose spin caloritronic devices based on magnetic graphether nanoribbons and investigate the spin thermoelectric properties by first-principles calculations. Owing to the symmetrical spin-resolved transmission spectra, our devices exhibit a robust spin-dependent Seebeck effect and could generate a pure spin current. Moreover, they manifest a high spin Seebeck coefficient and a giant spin figure of merit. Our findings demonstrate that graphether-nanoribbon-based devices possess remarkable spin thermoelectric performance, and might be promising candidates for spin caloritronics.

Spin-thermoelectric effects in a quantum dot hybrid system with magnetic insulator

We investigate spin thermoelectric properties of a hybrid system consisting of a single-level quantum dot attached to magnetic insulator and metal electrodes. Magnetic insulator is assumed to be of ferromagnetic type and is a source of magnons, whereas metallic lead is reservoir of electrons. The temperature gradient set between the magnetic insulator and metallic electrodes induces the spin current flowing through the system. The generated spin current of magnonic (electric) type is converted to electric (magnonic) spin current by means of quantum dot. Expanding spin and heat currents flowing through the system, up to linear order, we introduce basic spin thermoelectric coefficients including spin conductance, spin Seebeck and spin Peltier coefficients and heat conductance. We analyse the spin thermoelectric properties of the system in two cases: in the large ondot Coulomb repulsion limit and when these interactions are finite.

Quantum Sensing of Thermoelectric Power in Low-Dimensional Materials

Thermoelectric power, has been extensively studied in low-dimensional materials where quantum confinement and spin textures can largely modulate thermopower generation. In addition to classical and macroscopic values, thermopower also varies locally over a wide range of length scales, and is fundamentally linked to electron wave functions and phonon propagation. Various experimental methods for the quantum sensing of localized thermopower have been suggested, particularly based on scanning probe microscopy. Here, critical advances in the quantum sensing of thermopower are introduced, from the atomic to the several-hundred-nanometer scales, including the unique role of low-dimensionality, defects, spins, and relativistic effects for optimized power generation. Investigating the microscopic nature of thermopower in quantum materials can provide insights useful for the design of advanced materials for future thermoelectric applications. Quantum sensing techniques for thermopower can pave the way to practical and novel energy devices for a sustainable society.

Spin Seebeck effect of correlated magnetic molecules

In this paper we investigate the spin-resolved thermoelectric properties of strongly correlated molecular junctions in the linear response regime. The magnetic molecule is modeled by a single orbital level to which the molecular core spin is attached by an exchange interaction. Using the numerical renormalization group method we analyze the behavior of the (spin) Seebeck effect, heat conductance and figure of merit for different model parameters of the molecule. We show that the thermopower strongly depends on the strength and type of the exchange interaction as well as the molecule's magnetic anisotropy. When the molecule is coupled to ferromagnetic leads, the thermoelectric properties reveal an interplay between the spin-resolved tunneling processes and intrinsic magnetic properties of the molecule. Moreover, in the case of finite spin accumulation in the leads, the system exhibits the spin Seebeck effect. We demonstrate that a considerable spin Seebeck effect can develop when the molecule exhibits an easy-plane magnetic anisotropy, while the sign of the spin thermopower depends on the type and magnitude of the molecule's exchange interaction.