Orbitronics in non-centrosymmetric structures – ORION

Spin-orbit coupling is a powerful mechanism that has led to novel methods to pump charge currents and electrically control the magnetization of ultrathin magnetic films. Yet, the intense efforts aiming to better understand the physics at stake completely disregard the importance of the orbital effects. In fact, in non-centrosymmetric heterostructures the electron wave packet acquires an orbital momentum from the atomic spherical harmonics as well as from self-rotation, which can substantially influence spin-orbit phenomena. We propose to harness the orbital degree of freedom to boost spin-orbit mediated spin-charge conversion effects. This project establishes an ambitious program to model, predict, design and characterize new interfaces with maximized current-driven orbital momenta. Based on the exceptional synergy between experiments and theory, we will demonstrate that orbital momentum engineering opens wide avenues for the advancement of disruptive nanoelectronics.