Spin-Voltaic Effect and its Implications

In an inhomogeneously doped magnetic semiconductor, an interplay between an equilibrium magnetization and injected nonequilibrium spin leads to the spin-voltaic effect--a spin analogue of the photo-voltaic effect. By reversing either the sign of the equilibrium magnetization or the direction of injected spin polarization it is possible to switch the direction of charge current in a closed circuit or, alternatively, to switch the sign of the induced open-circuit voltage. Properties of the spin-voltaic effect can be used to perform all-electrical measurements of spin relaxation time and injected spin polarization, as well as to design devices with large magnetoresistance and spin-controlled amplification.