Spin-gapless semiconductors: Fundamental and applied aspects

Abstract

Spin-gapless semiconductors (SGSs) are new states of quantum matter, which are characterized by a unique spin-polarized band structure. Unlike conventional semiconductors or half-metallic ferromagnets, they carry a finite bandgap for one spin channel and a close (zero) gap for the other and thus are useful for tunable spin transport applications. It is one of the latest classes of materials considered for spintronic devices. A few of the several advantages of SGS include (i) a high Curie temperature, (ii) a minimal amount of energy required to excite electrons from the valence to conduction band due to zero gap, and (iii) the availability of both charge carriers, i.e., electrons as well as holes, which can be 100% spin-polarized simultaneously. In this perspective article, the theoretical foundation of SGS is first reviewed followed by experimental advancements on various realistic materials. The first band structure of SGS was reported in bulk Co-doped PbPdO2, using first-principles calculations. This was followed by a large number of ab initio simulation reports predicting SGS nature in different Heusler alloy systems. The first experimental realization of SGS was made in 2013 in a bulk inverse Heusler alloy, Mn2CoAl. In terms of material properties, SGS shows a few unique features such as nearly temperature-independent conductivity (σ) and carrier concentration, a very low temperature coefficient of resistivity, a vanishingly small Seebeck coefficient, quantum linear magnetoresistance in a low temperature range, etc. Later, several other systems, including 2-dimensional materials, were reported to show the signature of SGS. There are some variants of SGSs that can show a quantum anomalous Hall effect. These SGSs are classic examples of topological (Chern) insulators. In the later part of this article, we have touched upon some of these aspects of SGS or the so-called Dirac SGS systems as well. In general, SGSs can be categorized into four different types depending on how various bands corresponding to two different spin channels touch the Fermi level. The hunt for these different types of SGS materials is growing very fast. Some of the recent progress along this direction is also discussed.