Spin field-effect transistors based on massless birefringent Dirac fermions in polar Dirac semimetals

Abstract

The Datta-Das-type spin field-effect transistor, using a two-dimensional electron gas in a semiconductor heterostructure as a channel, plays a key role in spintronics. Here, we theoretically present a type of spin field-effect transistor based on massless birefringent Dirac fermions in polar Dirac semimetals. The manipulation of spin arises from the existence of the strong spin-orbit coupling, polar space groups, and Dirac cones in a single phase. The oscillatory channel conductance can be controlled by the sign of gate voltage in addition to its magnitude due to the gapless band structures of polar Dirac semimetals. Such spin field-effect transistor provides guidance for the further design of spintronic devices.