Quantum dot as spin filter and spin memory

Phys Rev Lett. 2000 Aug 28;85(9):1962-5. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.85.1962.

Abstract

We consider a quantum dot in the Coulomb blockade regime weakly coupled to current leads and show that in the presence of a magnetic field it acts as an efficient spin filter (at the single-spin level), producing a spin-polarized current. Conversely, if the leads are fully spin polarized the up or the down state of the spin on the dot results in a large sequential or a small cotunneling current, and, thus, together with ESR techniques, the setup can be operated as a single-spin memory.