Evaluation of spin-flip scattering in chirality-induced spin selectivity using the Riccati equation. Issue 7 (1st February 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nürenberg, Daniel; Zacharias, Helmut
• Is Part Of: Physical chemistry chemical physics. Volume 21:Issue 7(2019)
• Page Start: 3761
• Page End: 3770
• Publication Date: 2019-02-01
• Subjects: Chemistry, Physical and theoretical -- Periodicals; 541.3
• DOI: 10.1039/c8cp07257d
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1463-9076

Abstract

Abstract : We apply a model to search for spin-flips in spin-selective electron transport in chiral molecules. Abstract : The chirality-induced spin selectivity (CISS) in layers of helical molecules has gained considerable attention in the emerging field of spintronics, because the effect enables spin-filter devices under ambient conditions. Several theoretical studies have been carried out to explain this effect on a microscopic scale, but the origin of the effect is still controversial. In particular, the role of spin-flip scattering during electron transport is an open issue. In this study, we describe the electron and spin transport by macroscopic rate equations including spin-dependent losses and spin-flip scattering. We reduce the problem to the solution of the Riccati differential equation to obtain analytical expressions. The results allow the strength and scalability of CISS based spin-filters to be determined and interpreted from experimental data or quantum mechanical models. For the helical systems studied experimentally so far, it turns out that spin-flip scattering plays a minor role.