Proposal for a topological plasmon spin rectifier

We propose a device in which the spin-polarized ac plasmon mode in the surface state of a topological insulator nanostructure induces a static spin accumulation in a resonant, normal metal structure coupled to it. Using a finite-difference time-domain model, we simulate this spin-pump mechanism with drift, diffusion, relaxation, and precession in a magnetic field. This optically driven system can serve as a dc spin battery for spintronic devices. (c) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3541545]