Spin Transport in Nanowires Synthesized Using Anodic Nanoporous Alumina Films

Spin transport in restricted dimensionality structures (e.g., nanowires) have unusual features not observed in bulk samples. One popular method to synthesize nanowires of different materials is to electrodeposit them selectively within nano-meter diameter pores in anodic alumina films. Different materials can be sequentially deposited within the pores to form nanowire “spin valves” consisting of a spacer nanowire sandwiched between two ferromagnetic nanowires. This construct allows one to study spin transport in the spacer nanowire, with the ferromagnetic contacts acting as spin injector and detector. Some of our past work related to the study of spin transport in organic and inorganic nanowire spin valves produced using nanoporous anodic alumina films is reviewed in this chapter.