What Type of Barrier and Field Strength is Needed for Spin Polarized Tunneling?

In summary, The conversation is about a Youtube video on spin polarized tunneling and the possibility of creating a circuit or diagram for it to work. The main device is a stack of different materials, typically made in clean rooms using expensive equipment. However, one person has already set up a basic test circuit and collected barriers of different types and sizes to use for the experiment. The strength of the external magnetic field needed for the experiment depends on the material and temperature, and can potentially be achieved with a strong permanent magnet. Expensive equipment is only necessary if one wants to see the effect, but not necessarily for the experiment itself.
  • #1
forex10
27
1
Hello,
With regards to a Youtube video- Spin polarized tunneling - video #10: , could some one familiar with electronics provide a circuit or diagram for this to work? Also what type & size of barrier could be used?

This should be fairly easy for anyone familiar with electronics, so any help would be appreciated.

Joel
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
It is not a "circuit" as such. The main device is a "stack" of different materials, probably a few tens of square microns in size, each layer in the stack will be of the order of a few nanometers thick.
The actual measurement is then done by measuring the current through the stack as a function of the applied magnetic field.

Devices like this are made in clean rooms (at universities etc) using a wide variety of (very expensive) equipment for cleaning, deposition, etching etc. It is absolutely impossible to make something like this as home.
 
  • #3
I have already set up a basic test circuit. I have also collected barriers of different type & size to use. I do not need an expensive science lab to carry out this experiment. I just need to figure out the best way to apply an external magnetic field to achieve the spin polarization change.
 
  • #4
How strong the field needs to be depends on the material, in some cases a strong permanent magnet should be enough (the strength needed also depends on the temperature, many of these materials only work when cooled to cryogenic temperatures). There are plenty of webshops that sell strong rare-earth magnets.

Also, you are somewhat right. You do not need expensive equipment to try the experiment. Expensive equipment is only needed if you want to actually see the effect (which is usually the point of an experiment, but maybe not in this case).
 

1. What is the Electron Tunneling Challenge?

The Electron Tunneling Challenge is a scientific phenomenon that involves the transfer of electrons through an insulating barrier, such as a vacuum or a thin layer of material.

2. What causes electron tunneling to occur?

Electron tunneling occurs due to the quantum mechanical nature of electrons. According to the Heisenberg uncertainty principle, electrons do not have a definite position or energy, and therefore, they have a small chance of tunneling through a barrier even if they do not have enough energy to overcome it.

3. What are some applications of electron tunneling?

Electron tunneling has many practical applications, such as in scanning tunneling microscopy, which allows for the imaging of individual atoms and molecules. It is also used in tunnel diodes, which are important components in electronic devices like computers and smartphones.

4. How is the Electron Tunneling Challenge being studied?

Scientists use various techniques, such as scanning tunneling microscopy and quantum mechanical calculations, to study electron tunneling. They also conduct experiments using different materials and barrier thicknesses to gain a better understanding of the process.

5. What are the implications of the Electron Tunneling Challenge?

The Electron Tunneling Challenge has significant implications for the field of nanotechnology, as it allows for the manipulation and control of individual atoms and molecules. It also has potential applications in quantum computing, which could revolutionize information processing and storage.

Similar threads

Replies
2
Views
1K
  • Quantum Physics
Replies
7
Views
1K
  • High Energy, Nuclear, Particle Physics
Replies
19
Views
3K
Replies
69
Views
10K
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • Engineering and Comp Sci Homework Help
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • Sci-Fi Writing and World Building
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • DIY Projects
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • Sci-Fi Writing and World Building
Replies
14
Views
2K
Back
Top