UC Riverside

Spintronics investigates the interactions between magnetization dynamics and electron transport, particularly in ferromagnetic (FM) materials. My dissertation expands the realm of spintronics to antiferromagnetic (AF) materials, which are relatively unexplored and lack substantial theoretical frameworks. It specifically examines dc spin pumping in canted easy-plane antiferromagnet α-Fe2O3, facilitated by the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction.

Additionally, the dissertation explores the effects of magnetic fields on NiO below the spin-flop transition, demonstrating robust sub-terahertz spin pumping akin to that in easy-axis AFs by altering the resonance polarization through field application. The study also shows that an external magnetic field can significantly reduce the threshold for Néel vector auto-oscillation via spin-transfer torques, enhancing the potential for innovative device applications in the sub-terahertz spectrum.

This comprehensive study not only deepens our understanding of AF spintronics but also paves the way for the development of new spintronic devices leveraging the unique properties of antiferromagnetic materials. Moreover, the dissertation broadens the scope of spintronics by extending its examination to the physical properties of two-sublattice ferrimagnets (FIMs) and antiferromagnetic van der Waals materials within two-dimensional (2D) layered systems.