Using magneto-electroluminescence as a fingerprint to identify the spin polarization and spin–orbit coupling of magnetic nanoparticle doped polymer light emitting diodes

Abstract

The spin polarization and spin–orbit coupling (SOC) in polymer light emitting diodes (PLEDs) with the active layer doped with Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles (NPs) were identified through magneto-electroluminescence (MEL). By comparing the MEL characteristics such as linewidth and magnitude between PLEDs with and without Fe₃O₄ dopant, we confirmed the existence of spin polarization, but ruled out the existence of SOC. Although the spin polarization is positive to electroluminescence, the brightness–current characteristics suggested that the current efficiency of the doped PLED does not improve. We attributed it to the current leakage caused by the Fe₃O₄ NPs in the active layer. This work is beneficial for us to further understand the effect of magnetic nanoparticle doping on the dynamic behavior of excitons and polaron pairs in organic semiconductor devices.