Spin Dynamics of Complex Oxides, Bismuth-Antimony Alloys, and Bismuth Chalcogenides

Abstract

This thesis predicts that two types of material families could be a solution to the challenges in spintronics: complex oxides and bismuth based materials. We derive a general approach for constructing an effective spin-orbit Hamiltonian, which applies to all nonmagnetic materials. We also verify this formalism through comparisons with other approaches for III-V semiconductors. Its general applicability is illustrated by deriving the spin-orbit interaction and predicting spin lifetimes for strained SrTiO$_3$ and a two-dimensional electron gas (such as at the LaAlO$_3$/SrTiO$_3$ interface). Our results suggest robust spin coherence and spin transport properties in SrTiO$_3$ related materials. In the second part, we calculate intrinsic spin Hall conductivities for Bi$_{1-x}$Sb$_x$ semimetals with strong spin-orbit couplings, from the Kubo formula and using Berry curvatures evaluated from a tight-binding Hamiltonian. Nearly crossing bands with strong spin-orbit interaction generate giant spin Hall conductivities in these materials, ranging from 474 ($\hbar/e)( \Omega^{-1}cm^{-1}$) for bismuth to 96($\hbar/e)( \Omega^{-1}cm^{-1}$) for antimony; the value for bismuth is more than twice that of platinum. The large spin Hall conductivities persist for alloy compositions corresponding to a three-dimensional topological insulator state, such as Bi$_{0.83}$Sb$_{0.17}$. The spin Hall conductivity could be changed by a factor of 5 for doped Bi, or for Bi$_{0.83}$Sb$_{0.17}$, by changing the chemical potential, suggesting the potential for doping or voltage tuned spin Hall current. We also calculate intrinsic spin Hall conductivities of Bi$_2$Se$_3$ and Bi$_2$Te$_3$ topological insulators from an effective tight-binding Hamiltonian. We conclude that bismuth-antimony alloys and bismuth chalcogenides are primary candidates for efficiently generating spin currents through the spin Hall effect.