Spin injection and spin accumulation in all-metal mesoscopic spin valves

被引:265
作者
Jedema, FJ [1 ]
Nijboer, MS
Filip, AT
van Wees, BJ
机构
[1] Univ Groningen, Dept Appl Phys, NL-9747 AG Groningen, Netherlands
[2] Univ Groningen, Ctr Mat Sci, NL-9747 AG Groningen, Netherlands
关键词
D O I
10.1103/PhysRevB.67.085319
中图分类号
T [工业技术];
学科分类号
08 ;
摘要
We study the electrical injection and detection of spin accumulation in lateral ferromagnetic-metal-nonmagnetic-metal-ferromagnetic-metal (F/N/F) spin valve devices with transparent interfaces. Different ferromagnetic metals, Permalloy (Py), cobalt (Co), and nickel (Ni), are used as electrical spin injectors and detectors. For the nonmagnetic metal both aluminum (Al) and copper (Cu) are used. Our multiterminal geometry allows us to experimentally separate the spin valve effect from other magnetoresistance signals such as the anisotropic magnetoresistance and Hall effects. In a "nonlocal" spin valve measurement we are able to completely isolate the spin valve signal and observe clear spin accumulation signals at T=4.2 K as well as at room temperature (RT). For aluminum we obtain spin relaxation lengths (lambda(sf)) of 1.2 mum and 600 nm at T=4.2 K and RT, respectively, whereas for copper we obtain 1.0 mum and 350 nm. At RT these spin relaxation lengths are within a factor of 2 of the maximal obtainable spin relaxation length, being limited by electron-phonon scattering. The spin relaxation times tau(sf) in the Al and Cu thin films are compared with theory and results obtained from giant magnetoresistance (GMR), conduction electron spin resonance, antiweak localization, and superconducting tunneling experiments. The magnitudes of the spin valve signals generated by the Py and Co electrodes are compared to the results obtained from GMR experiments. For the Ni electrodes no spin signal could be observed beyond experimental accuracy.
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页数:16
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