Researchers may have made a huge discovery in large-area graphene and its potential ability to build faster, more energy-efficient computing processors and memory technology.
Graphene, a thin carbon film, acts as an electric conductor that can help keep electronics spinning without breaking — which, given the fragile state that electrons operate in, is normal.
A new study published in Nature Communications reveals that a large segment of graphene can hold an electron spin over an extensive period. This may be one of the biggest advancements in computing component innovation and spintronics.
"We believe that these results will attract a lot of attention in the research community and put graphene on the map for applications in spintronic components," stated Saroj Dash, who led the Chalmers University of Technology research team investigating graphene capabilities.
Spintronics – already in play in high-end hard drives used for magnetic random access memory and data storage – poses tremendous potential for other computing areas. It's just a bit tricky, as spintronics is based on the quantum state of electrons.
Electrons carry a charge and spin, but their spin ability and potential benefit for computing has not been deeply investigated.
"In future spin-based components, it is expected that the electrons must be able to travel several tens of micrometers with their spins kept aligned," stated Dash. "Metals, such as aluminum or copper, do not have the capacity to handle this. Graphene appears to be the only possible material at the moment."
Graphene has recently gained more coverage in the news, mostly regarding smartphone display innovation. According to the research team, improving spin parameters can advance graphene manufacturing.
"Graphene is a good conductor and has no band gaps," Dash explained. "But in spintronics, there is no need for band gaps to switch between on and off, one and zero. This is controlled instead by the electron's up or down spin orientations."
The researchers noted that while the results are encouraging, there is much more to be done in order to establish a stable and smooth graphene production method. As of yet, no one has figured out how to create graphene on the large scale required for use in the semiconductor production process.
