Optical Spintronics: Towards Optical Communication Without Energy Transfer

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Deriy, Ilya, Kornovan, Danil, Petrov, Mihail, Bogdanov, Andrey
Format: Preprint
Published: 2025
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author Deriy, Ilya
Kornovan, Danil
Petrov, Mihail
Bogdanov, Andrey
author_facet Deriy, Ilya
Kornovan, Danil
Petrov, Mihail
Bogdanov, Andrey
contents Energy, momentum, and angular momentum are fundamental properties tied to the symmetries of space and time, with photons and other elementary particles acting as carriers of these quantities. In most optical and optoelectronic devices, energy transfer is crucial, but it often results in undesirable energy absorption. Moreover, non-reciprocal elements such as optical diodes and circulators are difficult to implement in photonics, as they typically require time-dependent perturbations, nonlinear effects, or external magnetic fields. This presents a significant barrier to the development of efficient, compact photonic technologies. We introduce the concept of optical spin current, wherein spin angular momentum is transferred by an electromagnetic field without accompanying energy transfer. This phenomenon is analogous to electron spin currents, where spin is decoupled from charge flow. Building on this principle, we propose optical spin diode and circulator -- devices that enable unidirectional propagation of spin currents while maintaining bidirectional energy flow, thus preserving reciprocity. Furthermore, we demonstrate asymmetric spin transfer between quantum dots mediated by the optical spin diode, highlighting the potential for novel optical spintronic functionalities. These findings lay the foundation for devices that leverage optical spin transfer, opening new avenues for advancements in optical spintronics.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2505_10489
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Optical Spintronics: Towards Optical Communication Without Energy Transfer
Deriy, Ilya
Kornovan, Danil
Petrov, Mihail
Bogdanov, Andrey
Optics
Energy, momentum, and angular momentum are fundamental properties tied to the symmetries of space and time, with photons and other elementary particles acting as carriers of these quantities. In most optical and optoelectronic devices, energy transfer is crucial, but it often results in undesirable energy absorption. Moreover, non-reciprocal elements such as optical diodes and circulators are difficult to implement in photonics, as they typically require time-dependent perturbations, nonlinear effects, or external magnetic fields. This presents a significant barrier to the development of efficient, compact photonic technologies. We introduce the concept of optical spin current, wherein spin angular momentum is transferred by an electromagnetic field without accompanying energy transfer. This phenomenon is analogous to electron spin currents, where spin is decoupled from charge flow. Building on this principle, we propose optical spin diode and circulator -- devices that enable unidirectional propagation of spin currents while maintaining bidirectional energy flow, thus preserving reciprocity. Furthermore, we demonstrate asymmetric spin transfer between quantum dots mediated by the optical spin diode, highlighting the potential for novel optical spintronic functionalities. These findings lay the foundation for devices that leverage optical spin transfer, opening new avenues for advancements in optical spintronics.
title Optical Spintronics: Towards Optical Communication Without Energy Transfer
topic Optics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2505.10489