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Large spin-orbit coupling in carbon nanotubes

Author

Listed:
  • G.A. Steele

    (Kavli Institute of NanoScience, Delft University of Technology, PO Box 5046, Delft 2600GA, The Netherlands)

  • F. Pei

    (Kavli Institute of NanoScience, Delft University of Technology, PO Box 5046, Delft 2600GA, The Netherlands)

  • E.A. Laird

    (Kavli Institute of NanoScience, Delft University of Technology, PO Box 5046, Delft 2600GA, The Netherlands)

  • J.M. Jol

    (Kavli Institute of NanoScience, Delft University of Technology, PO Box 5046, Delft 2600GA, The Netherlands)

  • H.B. Meerwaldt

    (Kavli Institute of NanoScience, Delft University of Technology, PO Box 5046, Delft 2600GA, The Netherlands)

  • L.P. Kouwenhoven

    (Kavli Institute of NanoScience, Delft University of Technology, PO Box 5046, Delft 2600GA, The Netherlands)

Abstract

It has recently been recognised that the strong spin-orbit interaction present in solids can lead to new phenomena, such as materials with non-trivial topological order. Although the atomic spin-orbit coupling in carbon is weak, the spin-orbit coupling in carbon nanotubes can be significant due to their curved surface. Previous works have reported spin-orbit couplings in reasonable agreement with theory, and this coupling strength has formed the basis of a large number of theoretical proposals. Here we report a spin-orbit coupling in three carbon nanotube devices that is an order of magnitude larger than previously measured. We find a zero-field spin splitting of up to 3.4 meV, corresponding to a built-in effective magnetic field of 29 T aligned along the nanotube axis. Although the origin of the large spin-orbit coupling is not explained by existing theories, its strength is promising for applications of the spin-orbit interaction in carbon nanotubes devices.

Suggested Citation

  • G.A. Steele & F. Pei & E.A. Laird & J.M. Jol & H.B. Meerwaldt & L.P. Kouwenhoven, 2013. "Large spin-orbit coupling in carbon nanotubes," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 4(1), pages 1-7, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:4:y:2013:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms2584
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms2584
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