Charge-Induced Artifacts in Nonlocal Spin-Transport Measurements: How to Prevent Spurious Voltage Signals

Abstract

A lively discussion has emerged in both the valleytronics and spintronics communities, concerning the correct interpretation of nonlocal transport experiments. The authors contribute to this ongoing debate their overview of all mechanisms that can create charge-induced nonlocal voltages, which could be misattributed to spin- or valley-related effects. A detailed description of a further measurement artifact, apparently not discussed in the literature, is also included. Fortunately, special instrumentation can significantly reduce most of these measurement artifacts, and thus can strongly diminish the risk of misinterpretation.