New Technology Allows Metal Platinum "avatar" Semiconductor.

Xinhua News Agency, Tokyo, August 9 (Reporter Huayi) The latest research by Japanese researchers found that metal platinum made into ultrathin films only 2 nanometers thick, can have similar characteristics of silicon and other semiconductors. Researchers believe that this discovery challenges the traditional understanding of semiconductor materials and helps promote the development of related fields.

Traditionally, metals and semiconductors are strictly distinguished. Metals generally have good conductivity, while semiconductors are between insulators and conductors, and conductivity can be controlled. Transistors made of common semiconductor materials such as silicon are widely used in various electronic devices.

The Kyoto University team found that when heavy metal platinum was made into an ultrathin film only 2 nanometers thick on a magnetic insulator called yttrium iron garnet, it could control resistance through external voltages, just like semiconductors.

In addition, the researchers also found that platinum can greatly regulate and control the effect of "spin orbit coupling". Spin-orbit coupling refers to the interaction between particle spin and orbital motion, which plays a key role in the study of spintronics. Research on semiconductors or other new materials often involves this effect.

The team said the discovery was inconsistent with conventional solid-state physics and would contribute to the development of electronics and spintronics. The research results have been published in the new issue of the journal Nature communication.