PhD studentship on the theory of spin transport in semiconductors - York, UK

Department of Physics, University of York (UK)

The demand for increasingly faster and smaller electronic devices requires that more and smaller transistors are packed on every chip. This has led to the birth of nanotechnology and, more recently of the nanotechnology field called 'spintronics'. Here not only the charge, but also the spin -- a fundamental property of electrons -- is used in the design of conceptually new devices.

At the basis of spintronics is the understanding of spin dynamics. However key issues such as how to inject a current of spins in a semiconductor, how to sustain it within the device, which materials/nanostructures are best
and what lengths a current of spin can travel in a specific material are still open questions.

This project aims to master the principles underlying the spin dynamics.

Objectives are to fully understand spin transport, diffusion and spin injection into semiconductors, including the effects of many-body interactions like the spin Coulomb drag effect. These properties are important from a fundamental point of view and of great practical interest for developing semiconductor and hybrid (metal/semiconductor) spintronics devices.

This is an EPSRC-funded studentship, with a stipend in line with EPSRC directions. The studentship is funded for EU nationals only.

We are looking for highly motivated students, possibly with a background in solid state physics and good computational skills.

For more details please contact Dr Irene D'Amico, ida500@york.ac.uk.

To apply please go to our Application Procedure page at
http://www.york.ac.uk/depts/phys/gsp/applying.htm or email
phys-grad-admin@york.ac.uk for an application pack.