Spin Transfer Torques in MnSi at Ultralow Current Densities

Spin Control Controlling and manipulating the spin of an electron is a central requirement for applications in spintronics. Some of the challenges researchers are facing include efficient creation of spin currents, minimization of Joule heating, and extending the lifetime of electronic spins, which is especially important for quantum information applications. Costache and Valenzuela (p. 1645 ) address the first challenge by designing and fabricating an efficient and simple superconducting-based single-electron transistor that can produce spin current with controlled flow. Key to the design is asymmetric tunneling, which leads to a ratchet effect (or diode-like behavior), allowing the separation of up and down…