Graphene, a two-dimensional material made of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice, has been the subject of intense research since its discovery in 2004. Its unique properties, such as high electrical conductivity and mechanical strength, make it a promising material for a wide range of applications, from electronics to energy storage. Now, researchers have discovered that near-pristine graphene exhibits giant magnetoresistance, a phenomenon that could have important implications for spintronics and magnetic storage.
Magnetoresistance is the change in electrical resistance of a material in the presence of a magnetic field. Giant magnetoresistance (GMR) refers to a large change in resistance that occurs when a magnetic field is applied to certain materials, such as ferromagnetic metals. GMR has already found practical applications in hard disk drives and magnetic sensors. However, until now, GMR had not been observed in graphene, which is not a ferromagnetic material.
The research team, led by Professor Andre Geim at the University of Manchester, UK, used a technique called ballistic transport to measure the electrical resistance of graphene in the presence of a magnetic field. Ballistic transport is a method that allows electrons to move through a material without scattering, which can affect their behavior. The researchers used high-quality graphene samples that were free of defects and impurities, which allowed them to observe the GMR effect.
The team found that the GMR effect in graphene was much larger than expected, with a resistance change of up to 580% at low temperatures. This is several orders of magnitude larger than the GMR effect observed in ferromagnetic metals. The researchers also found that the GMR effect was highly dependent on the orientation of the magnetic field relative to the graphene lattice.
The discovery of GMR in near-pristine graphene opens up new possibilities for spintronics, a field that aims to use the spin of electrons rather than their charge to store and process information. Spintronics has the potential to revolutionize computing and data storage, as it could lead to faster and more energy-efficient devices. Graphene’s high electrical conductivity and GMR effect make it an attractive material for spintronics applications.
In addition to spintronics, the GMR effect in graphene could also have implications for magnetic sensors and other magnetic devices. The large resistance change observed in graphene could make it a more sensitive material for detecting magnetic fields.
Overall, the discovery of GMR in near-pristine graphene is an exciting development in the field of materials science. It highlights the unique properties of graphene and its potential for a wide range of applications. Further research is needed to fully understand the GMR effect in graphene and to explore its practical applications.
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