Spinterface: Crafting spintronics at the molecular scale

A number of studies have suggested that molecular materials could offer similar performance as, or even potentially supersede, those of inorganic materials in spintronics devices. Radically new spintronics functionalities, unavailable with conventional inorganic materials, could stem from the interface between ferromagnetic (FM) and molecular materials, giving rise to the so-called spinterface field. In this article, we review the fundamental concepts, recent experiments, and perspectives in this fast rising field, where the functionality is brought from the bulk to the ultimate downscaled device: the interface. The article shows how spin-dependent hybridization at the FM metal/molecule interface can lead to induced spin polarization in the molecular orbitals thanks to spin-dependent broadening and energy shifting of the molecular levels. Interfacial spin polarization can then be tailored thanks to chemical interactions. Examples of enhancement and reversal are given, and we highlight how this spin-dependent hybridization opens a new door for the spintronics crafting of multifunctionality through chemical designing and tuning on the molecular scale.