From spintronics to orbitronics
Saül Vélez, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain
Monday 2 June 2025, 12.00 PM*
ICMAB - Sala d'Actes Carles Miravitlles
*Coffee and cookies by 11:45 AM
Abstract
The use of the spin of the electrons to read and write magnetic elements is at the core of modern memory and computing technologies. We can find some examples in the functioning of the hard disk read heads and the magnetic random-access memories. Whereas initial spintronic devices employed spin polarized currents, recent advances in the field focus on exploiting the spin-orbit coupling (SOC) of materials and interfaces to generate pure spin currents from charge currents.
In this seminar, we will review the state-of-the art in the field and explore how pure spin currents can be used to exploit magnetic insulators as active elements in spintronic devices. As examples, we will see how SOC and spin currents can be used to electrically inject and detect magnons carrying spin information and for stabilizing and driving topological magnetic textures (Néel chiral domain walls and skyrmions) in thin film garnets. Further, we will explore how interface effects, pinning and exchange coupling can be used to manipulate the mobility of magnetic textures in a wide range of magnetic systems.
Finally, we will discuss how electronic orbital angular momentum can be used to operate magnetic devices as alternative to spin. We will discuss the requirements for generating and exploiting orbital angular momentum currents and introduce the new possibilities that orbitronics can bring to future electronics research.
Short bio
Saül Vélez pursed his master’s (2008) and PhD studies (2012) at the University of Barcelona under the supervision of Prof. Tejada, receiving in both the Extraordinary award for his results on quantum magnetism. In April 2013, Saül joined the nanodevices group at CIC nanoGUNE to work with Prof. Hueso with the purpose to transition towards spintronics and nanodevices, areas in which he is now a reference. From September 2017 to May 2021, Saül also hold a senior postdoctoral position in the groups of Prof. Gambardella and Prof. Fiebig at ETH Zürich.
With interest in spintronics, magnetotransport, and optoelectronics phenomena, his recent research focused on exploring magnetoresistive effects and magnetic dynamic phenomena in metal/oxide heterostructure devices. Among his discoveries, he has demonstrated that interfacial interactions and spin currents can be used for probing and manipulating the magnetic moments of electrically insulating materials, opening a new research field with profound fundamental and technological impacts. His contributions to polaritonics and optoelectronics in low dimensional materials and heterostructures are also multiple.
Saül joined IFIMAC in June 2021 as Junior Group Leader and founded the Spintronics and Nanodevices group. In his lab, he aims at exploring non-conventional materials and new device concepts for spintronic applications.
Hosted by Alberto Pomar, from the Advanced Characterization and Nanostructured Materials group (Materials for Electronics Research Line)
>> If you want to meet the speaker, please contact the host, Alberto Pomar, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
