Center for Quantum Spintronics Senter for kvante-spinntronikk

In 2023 we were approved by the RCN to continue our research activity 2024-2027. We have revised and developed, through a comprehensive process in the leader group of the center, our research strategy to focus mainly on three research areas: Dissipationless quantum spin transfer, Quantum Spin Dynamics, and Spin and Topology. We have arranged an international collaboration workshop with forty one participants including everyone at QuSpin, and our collaboration partners in Germany and the Netherlands. The workshop was organised as a kick-off for our next period of our research center. The workshop had focus on strengthening the collaboration between theoretical and experimental activities, and new collaboration projects. We have 35 scientific articles registered so far in 2023, among two in Nature Communications, four in Physical Review Letters and fifteen in others Physical Review B, the premiere Journal in condensed matter physics in the world.

QuSpin's principal goal will be to describe, characterize and develop recently identified quantum approaches to control electric signals, conceptually different from those existing today. Our vision is to trigger a revolution in low-power information and communication technologies in an energy-efficient society. In conventional electronics, the electric charge stores and processes information. In performing these tasks, the electron motion wastes energy by heating the surroundings. This heating prevents a further miniaturization of electronics devices. It is our hypothesis that the waste of energy can be circumvented by utilizing the dynamics of quantum entities other than the electron charge. The electron spin, the electron's magnetic moment, is a prime example of a quantum entity. Spintronics has already proven its worth by causing a revolution in data storage. Nevertheless, electronics and spintronics continue to function by electron transport, which inherently dissipates power due to resistive losses. QuSpin will develop new concepts for the utilization of spin and pseudo-spin quantum states in low-dissipation systems. Our aim is to control these states electrically in innovative nanostructured combinations of magnetic insulators, topological insulators, and superconductors. In insulators, there are no electric currents, but other quantum entities can flow with significant power reduction. In superconductors, there is zero dissipation associated with spin and charge transport. The research focuses on fundamental challenges in spintronics. A concerted effort is essential to realize electrically controlled spin signals in low power dissipation systems. QuSpin will reorganize condensed matter physics in Norway to train the next generation to develop further the research findings. We will bring together Norwegian researchers with international experts to put Norway at the forefront of advancing this key burgeoning area that enables innovative applications.