Coherent and Dissipative Spin Torques in Quantum Dots: A Unified Framework for Quantum Spin Dynamics

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Authors: Dominic Ruckert, Štěpán Kovařík, Richard Schlitz, Mirco Grellmann, Aishwarya Vishwakarma, Pietro Gambardella, Sebastian Stepanow
Cited by: 1

Abstract

The manipulation of single spins through spin-polarized tunneling opens new routes for quantum control at the atomic scale. We present a theoretical framework describing spin-transfer, spin torques and spin resonance in molecular quantum dots weakly coupled to magnetic electrodes. By deriving a Lindblad master equation from microscopic tunneling processes, we capture both coherent exchange interactions and dissipative spin torque effects within a unified approach. We analyze how charge transport through localized orbitals influences spin dynamics and show that modulating the tunneling rates in time can induce electron spin resonance. This framework is further extended to coupled spin systems, revealing how spin coherence and entanglement respond to local spin torques and highlighting sources of transport-driven decoherence. Our results provide a general model to interpret spin-resolved tunneling experiments and extend classical spin torque concepts into the quantum regime.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Quantum and electron transport phenomena Molecular Junctions and Nanostructures Quantum-Dot Cellular Automata

Publication details

Journal / source
Repository for Publications and Research Data (ETH Zurich)
Publication date
29 April 2026
Language
EN
Document type
Dataset