Atomistic insights into electronic/magnetic properties of transition-metal based low dimensional systems for spintronics applications

Abstract

Spintronics involves the manipulation of electronic spin for futuristic applications in different areas such as magnetism, electronics, and photonics. Their interdependence is of great significance for revolutionizing spin-based technologies, such as spin-field effect transistors, spin-resonant tunneling diodes, spin-light emitting diodes, and many more. This intrinsic manipulation of electronic spin and its correlation with other relevant fields govern real-world device's functionalities. Hence, the origination and understanding of electronic spins in different architectures (materials) becomes crucial. Following the above challenges, we have decided to understand the various magnetic models and their association to properties such as electronic gap, Curie temperature, and conductivity. The dimensionality plays a crucial role in the alternation of electronic spins at the nanoscale. We are reducing the available degree of freedoms (possible spatial orientation) for the electronic spins on reducing the dimensions. Hence, the formation of nano-level architectures involving spintronics facilitates the development of multifunctional materials. Many materials with reduced dimensionality are already found to be promising for spintronics applications, such as two-dimensional (2D) metal chalcogenides and 2D metal-organic frameworks, and so. Similarly, the type of chemical bonding involved in forming such materials is an essential parameter of concern. The understanding of chemical bonding tells about the favorable pathways involved in the electronic localization or delocalization. The extent of electron localization (or delocalization) in a system tells about the nature of magnetism. A further explanation is provided by employing the different magnetic exchange phenomenon. Collectively, all these parameters offer alternative pathways for tuning electronic and magnetic properties. Therefore, more efforts are needed to explore the low-dimensional materials and understand the chemistry behind such properties. In this context, computational simulations play a crucial role in understanding the atomic insights behind the evolution of magnetic and electronic properties in spintronics.