Theory of spin-polarized current flow through a localized spin triplet state

Abstract

We derive a formalism describing quantum-coherent features of spin-polarized charge current through a partially-polarized spin triplet defect in a $\textit{transverse}$ magnetic field. We predict distinct few-milli-tesla-dc magnetoresistance signatures that identify a $\textit{single}$ spin-triplet center's character and reveal the orientation of the spin triplet's zero-field splitting axis relative to the magnetic contact's polarization. For example, in 4H-SiC the single $(hh)$, $(kk)$, $(hk)$, and $(kh)$ divacancies are all distinct. Spin-polarized current flow efficiently polarizes the spin, potentially electrically initializing spin-triplet-based qubits.