Spin-controlled nanoelectromechanics in magnetic NEM-SET systems

Journal article, 2005

We present a theory of the nanoelectromechanical coupling in a magnetic nanoelectromechanical single-electron tunnelling (NEM-SET) device, where a nanometre-sized metallic cluster or 'dot' is suspended between two magnetic leads. In this device, the spin projections of the tunnelling electrons, which can be manipulated by an external magnetic field, control the strength of the tunnel current. The magnitude of the current, in turn, determines the power that can be supplied to the vibrational degree of freedom of the suspended cluster. The electromechanical instability that occurs in the system if the dissipation rate of the mechanical cluster vibration energy is slow enough, is shown to strongly depend on the external magnetic field. As a result different regimes of 'shuttle' vibrations appear and are analysed. The strength of the magnetic field required to control the nanomechanical vibrations decreases as the tunnel resistance of the device increases and can be as low as 10 gauss for gigaohm tunnel structures.