Designing Quantum States with Tunable Magnetic Textures

Abstract: We theoretically investigate the effects of tunable magnetic fringe fields generated by arrays of switchable magnetic junctions (MJs) on the quantum states of an underlying two-dimensional (2D) system formed in a semiconductor quantum well. The magnetic landscape generated by the MJ-array can be reconfigured on the nanometer scale by electrically switching the magnetic state of individual MJs. The interaction between the spin of the carriers and the fringe fields generates effective spin-dependent potentials acting like quantum dots (barriers) for carriers with spin parallel (antiparallel) to the magnetic texture. The position and depth (height) of the magnetically generated quantum dots (barriers), as well as the coupling between them, can be tuned by modulating the magnetic texture through switchings of individual MJs. This enables the magnetic control, manipulation, and design of quantum states, their spin, and transport properties.