Assembling Ferromagnetic Single-electron Transistors with Atomic Force Microscopy

In English Ferromagnetic Single Electron Transistors (F-SETs) comprise ferromagnetic electrodes connected to a ferromagnetic- or non-magnetic central island via tunnel barriers. These devices are important for studies of spin-transport physics in confined structures. Here we describe the development of a novel type of AFM-assembled nano-scale F-SETs suitable for spin-transport investigations at temperatures above 4.2 K. The ingenious fabrication technique means that their electrical characteristics can be tuned in real-time during the fabrication sequence by re-positioning the central island with Ångström precision.