Title : Superconducting spintronics with proximity induced exchange fields

Speaker: Dr Avradeep Pal Post Doc. Research Associate TU Delft, Netherlands

Date: Monday, 21st August, 2017

Time : 4.00 p.m

Venue : CoEST Conference Room, Dept of MEMS ALL ARE CORDIALLY INVITED

* Dr. Pal is a faculty candidate

Abstract 

Conventional superconductivity and ferromagnetism are mutually antagonistic materials systems, as the former supports anti parallel arrangement of electrons to form the unit of superconducting charge transport - a Cooper pair; while the later favors parallel arrangement of electron spins that is mediated by an exchange interaction. However, I have recently discovered a new mechanism of exchange interaction between two ferromagnets that is mediated by a superconducting interlayer1 . This newly discovered compatibility between superconductors and ferromgnets has therefore led to new avenues in the emerging field of Superconducting Spintronics2 . Several other prior experiments of mine, especially the discovery of an interfacial exchange field at Superconductor (S) - Ferromagnetic insulator (F) interfaces3 forms the backbone of this recent discovery. In this talk, I will give a short description of landmark experiments on S/Insulator (I)/ Normal Metal (N) tunnel junctions, that led to the experimental proof of BCS theory of conventional superconductivity; how the evolution of conventional metallic spintronics can be traced back to those experiments, and then the particulars of my own experiment on S/FI/N tunnel junctions that led to the discovery of interfacial exchange fields. I will then briefly talk about the emerging field of superconducting spintronics and the significance of both of my experimental discoveries in the context of superconducting spintronics and how it has and will motivate research in other broad areas of hybrid materials systems. Finally, I will talk about future research directions which I intend to pursue, which are motivated from these discoveries and how such research can lead to active%2