Nanosecond Spin Lifetimes in Single- and Few-Layer Graphene–hBN Heterostructures at Room Temperature

We present a new fabrication method of graphene spin-valve devices that yields enhanced spin and charge transport properties by improving both the electrode-to-graphene and graphene-to-substrate interface. First, we prepare Co/MgO spin injection electrodes onto Si⁺⁺/SiO₂. Thereafter, we mechanically transfer a graphene–hBN heterostructure onto the prepatterned electrodes. We show that room temperature spin transport in single-, bi-, and trilayer graphene devices exhibit nanosecond spin lifetimes with spin diffusion lengths reaching 10 μm combined with carrier mobilities exceeding 20 000 cm²/(V s)