Topological spintronics: from physics to devices

ORAL  · Invited

Abstract

Quantum geometry, characterized by the quantum metric and Berry curvature that encode the local topology of electronic states, gives rise to intriguing physical phenomena and holds promise for novel device applications [1-3]. Here, we first report the observation of quantum metric quadrupole-induced nonlinear transport in a correlated antiferromagnet, enabling effective readout of antiferromagnetic order without external magnetic fields [4]. Subsequently, we demonstrate the generation of spin current via Berry curvature dipole in a low-symmetry Weyl semimetal, which allows efficient and robust perpendicular magnetization switching in the absence of an in-plane magnetic field [5]. Finally, we propose a cryogenic in-memory computing scheme based on magnetic topological insulators exhibiting global topology with quantized Chern numbers [6]. These advances highlight the potential of quantum geometric effects for next-generation electronic and spintronic technologies.

*National Key R&D Program of China (2021YFA1401500), the NSFC/RGC Joint Research Scheme (N_HKUST620/21), General Research Fund (Grant No. 16303521, 16303322, and 16309924).  

Publication: 1. Enzi Zhai, Tianyu Liang, Ruizi Liu, Mingyang Cai, Ran Li, Qiming Shao, Cong Su, Yuxuan Cosmi Lin, The rise of semi-metal electronics, Nature Reviews Electrical Engineering 1, 497–515 (2024)\
2. Qiming Shao, Zhongrui Wang, Yan Zhou, Shunsuke Fukami, Damien Querlioz, Leon O. Chua, Spintronic memristors for computing, npj Spintronics (2025)
3. Qiming Shao, Kevin Garello, Jianshi Tang, Spintronic foundation cells for large-scale integration, Nature Reviews Electrical Engineering 1, 694–695 (2024)
4. Ruizi Liu, Zehan Chen, Xingkai Cheng, Xiaolin Ren, Yiyang Zhang, Xuezhao Wu, Chengping Zhang, Kun Qian, Ching Ho Chan, Junwei Liu, Kam Tuen Law, Qiming Shao, Correlation-driven quantum geometry effects in a Kondo system, https://arxiv.org/abs/2507.01824 (2025)
5. Yiyang Zhang, Xiaolin Ren, Ruizi Liu, Zehan Chen, Xuezhao Wu, Jie Pang, Wei Wang, Guibin Lan, Kenji Watanabe, Takashi Taniguchi, Youguo Shi, Guoqiang Yu, Qiming Shao, Robust Field‐Free Switching Using Large Unconventional Spin‐Orbit Torque in an All‐Van der Waals Heterostructure, Advanced Materials 2406464 (2024)
6. Yuting Liu, Albert Lee, Kun Qian, Peng Zhang, Zhihua Xiao, Haoran He, Zheyu Ren, Shun Kong Cheung, Ruizi Liu, Yaoyin Li, Xu Zhang, Zichao Ma, Jianyuan Zhao, Weiwei Zhao, Guoqiang Yu, Xin Wang, Junwei Liu, Zhongrui Wang, Kang L Wang, Qiming Shao, Cryogenic in-memory computing using magnetic topological insulators, Nature Materials, 1-6 (2025)

Presenters

  • Qiming Shao

    • The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST)

Authors

  • Qiming Shao

    • The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST)