Electrical control of the direction of spin accumulation

We are able to continuously change the direction of polarization of spin accumulation in a nonmagnetic metal by varying the currents injected by two ferromagnetic spin injectors. From measurements made at a distance from the injection area, we find a cosvarphi variation of the spin signal. This confirms that the angle of polarization of the nonlocal spin polarization with respect to the magnetization of the fixed spin detector is continuously varied as we change the injection currents. We give an explanation for the origin of this simple cosvarphi variation of the spin signal.     

Switching magnetization of a nanoscale ferromagnetic particle using nonlocal spin injection

We have performed nonlocal spin injection into a nanoscale ferromagnetic particle configured in a lateral spin-valve structure to switch its magnetization only by spin current. The nonlocal spin injection aligns the magnetization of the particle parallel to the magnetization of the spin injector. The spin current responsible for switching is estimated from the experiment to be about 200 microA, which is reasonable compared with the values obtained for conventional pillar structures. Interestingly, the switching always occurs from antiparallel to parallel in the particle-injector magnetic configurations, where no opposite switching is observed. Possible reasons for this discrepancy are discussed.     

Roles of nonequilibrium conduction electrons on the magnetization dynamics of ferromagnets

The mutual dependence of spin-dependent conduction and magnetization dynamics of ferromagnets provides the key mechanisms in various spin-dependent phenomena. We compute the response of the conduction electron spins in a spatial and time varying magnetization M(r,t) in the time-dependent semiclassical transport theory. We show that the induced nonequilibrium conduction spin density in turn generates four spin torques acting on the magnetization-with each torque playing a different role in magnetization dynamics. By comparing with recent theoretical models, we find that one of these torques which has not been previously identified is crucial to consistently interpreting experimental data on domain wall motion.     

Vortex quantum creation and winding number scaling in a quenched spinor Bose gas

Motivated by a recent experiment, we study nonequilibrium quantum phenomena taking place in the quench of a spinor Bose-Einstein condensate through the zero-temperature phase transition separating the polar paramagnetic and planar ferromagnetic phases. We derive the typical spin domain structure (correlations of the effective magnetization) created by the quench arising due to spin-mode quantum fluctuations, and we establish a sample-size scaling law for the creation of spin vortices, which are topological defects in the transverse magnetization.     

Effect of Electric Current on the Spin Polarization of Electrons in Materials with Nonuniform Magnetization

Journal of Experimental and Theoretical Physics - The nonequilibrium magnetization (spin polarization) of conducting electrons moving in materials with a nonuniform magnetization distribution is...     

Spin-torque shot noise in magnetic tunnel junctions

A spin polarized current may transfer angular momentum to a ferromagnet, resulting in a spin-torque phenomenon. At the same time the shot noise, associated with the current, leads to a nonequilibrium stochastic force acting on the ferromagnet. We derive a stochastic version of the Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert equation for a magnetization of a "free" ferromagnetic layer in contact with a "fixed" ferromagnet. We solve the corresponding Fokker-Planck equation and show that the nonequilibrium noise yields to a nonmonotonic dependence of the precession spectrum linewidth on the current.     

Spin caloritronics and the thermomagnetoelectric system

The methods of nonequilibrium thermodynamics are applied to study the transport of charge, heat and nonequilibrium spin magnetization in a discrete system comprised of a ferromagnetic metal making interfacial contact with a nonmagnetic metal. A thermomagnetic effect relating spin accumulation to an interfacial difference of temperature is described. Temperature gradients related to spin relaxation are discussed. Some recent experimental results are reviewed using the framework provided by the thermomagnetoelectric system.     

Atomistic spin dynamic method with both damping and moment of inertia effects included from first principles

We consider spin dynamics for implementation in an atomistic framework and we address the feasibility of capturing processes in the femtosecond regime by inclusion of moment of inertia. In the spirit of an s-d-like interaction between the magnetization and electron spin, we derive a generalized equation of motion for the magnetization dynamics in the semiclassical limit, which is nonlocal in both space and time. Using this result we retain a generalized Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert equation, also including the moment of inertia, and demonstrate how the exchange interaction, damping, and moment of inertia, all can be calculated from first principles.     

Polarization field in a single-valley strongly-interacting 2D electron system

The magnetic field of complete spin polarization is calculated in a disorderless single-valley strongly-interacting 2D electron system. In the metallic region above the Wigner-Mott transition, nonequilibrium spin states are predicted, which should give rise to hysteresis in the magnetization.     

Spin-transfer torques in antiferromagnetic metals from first principles

In spite of the absence of a macroscopic magnetic moment, an antiferromagnet is spin-polarized on an atomic scale. The electric current passing through a conducting antiferromagnet is polarized as well, leading to spin-transfer torques when the order parameter is textured, such as in antiferromagnetic noncollinear spin valves and domain walls. We report a first principles study on the electronic transport properties of antiferromagnetic systems. The current-induced spin torques acting on the magnetic moments are comparable with those in conventional ferromagnetic materials, leading to measurable angular resistances and current-induced magnetization dynamics. In contrast to ferromagnets, spin torques in antiferromagnets are very nonlocal. The torques acting far away from the center of an antiferromagnetic domain wall should facilitate current-induced domain wall motion.     

NQR Spin Diffusion in an Inhomogeneous Internal Field

The theory of NQR spin diffusion is extended to the case of spin lattice relaxation and spin diffusion in an inhomogeneous field. Two coupled equations describing the mutual relaxation and the spin diffusion of the nuclear magnetization and dipolar energy were obtained by using the method of nonequilibrium state operator. The equations were solved for short and long times approximation corresponding to the direct and diffusion relaxation regimes.     

Effect of resistance feedback on spin torque-induced switching of nanomagnets

In large magnetoresistance devices spin torque-induced changes in resistance can produce GHz current and voltage oscillations which can affect magnetization reversal. In addition, capacitive shunting in large resistance devices can further reduce the current, adversely affecting spin torque switching. Here, we simultaneously solve the Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert equation with spin torque and the transmission line telegrapher's equations to study the effects of resistance feedback and capacitance on magnetization reversal of both spin valves and magnetic tunnel junctions. While for spin valves parallel (P) to anti-parallel (AP) switching is adversely affected by the resistance feedback due to saturation of the spin torque, in low resistance magnetic tunnel junctions P-AP switching is enhanced. We study the effect of resistance feedback on the switching time of magnetic tunnel junctions, and show that magnetization switching is only affected by capacitive shunting in the pF range.     

Disturbance of spin equilibrium by current through the interface of noncollinear ferromagnets

Boundary conditions are derived that determine the penetration of spin current through an interface of two noncollinear ferromagnets with an arbitrary angle between their magnetization vectors. We start from the well-known transformation properties of an electron spin wave functions under the rotation of a quantization axis. It allows directly find the connection between partial electric current densities for different spin subbands of the ferromagnets. No spin scattering is assumed in the near interface region, so that spin conservation takes place when electron intersects the boundary. The continuity conditions are found for partial chemical potential differences in the situation. Spatial distribution of nonequilibrium electron magnetizations is calculated under the spin current flowing through a contact of two semi-infinite ferromagnets. The distribution describes the spin accumulation effect by current and corresponding shift of the potential drop at the interface. These effects appear strongly dependent on the relation between spin contact resistances at the interface.     

Field-swept magnetization hysteresis of magnetic V<Subscript>15</Subscript> nanoclusters

The mechanism of hysteresis of magnetization in superparamagnetic systems under a time-increasing (decreasing) magnetic field is studied. The model used involves the nonequilibrium thermodynamic properties of superparamagnetic systems, such as the difference in temperature between the spin subsystem and the lattice caused by a sweeping magnetic field. It is shown that the temperature of the spin system and, hence, the magnitude of the magnetization always lag behind a variable magnetic field, which might be the cause of the observed hystertesis of magnetization. The results of calculations are compared with the experimental data for V₁₅ nanoclusters.     

Magnetization transport and quantized spin conductance

We analyze transport of magnetization in insulating systems described by a spin Hamiltonian. The magnetization current through a quasi-one-dimensional magnetic wire of finite length suspended between two bulk magnets is determined by the spin conductance which remains finite in the ballistic limit due to contact resistance. For ferromagnetic systems, magnetization transport can be viewed as transmission of magnons, and the spin conductance depends on the temperature T. For antiferromagnetic isotropic spin-1/2 chains, the spin conductance is quantized in units of order (gmu(B))(2)/h at T=0. Magnetization currents produce an electric field and, hence, can be measured directly. For magnetization transport in electric fields, phenomena analogous to the Hall effect emerge.     

Domain instability during magnetization precession

Spin wave equations describing the nonequilibrium precessional state of a ferromagnetic system are given. The equations reveal a new type of spin wave instability (SWI) towards growing domains of uniform magnetization. In the developed stages of SWI a nonstationary picture of domain chaos is revealed by numerical simulations. SWI is capable of explaining recent experimental observation of stochastic switching in precessional magnetization reversal.     

Unified description of bulk and interface-enhanced spin pumping

We describe a mechanism for generating nonequilibrium electron-spin accumulation in semiconductors or metals by rf magnetic field pumping. With a semiclassical model we show that a rotating applied magnetic field (or the processing magnetization inside a weak ferromagnet) generates a dc spin accumulation. For bulk systems this spin accumulation is in general given by a small fraction of h omega, where omega is the rotation or precession frequency. With the addition of a neighboring, field-free region, and allowing for the diffusion of spins across the interface, the spin accumulation is dramatically enhanced towards h omega near the interface. The interface-enhanced spin accumulation obtained within our bulk-oriented model is surprisingly similar to predictions based on interface-scattering theory [A. Brataas, Phys. Rev. B 66, 060404(R) (2002)].     

The observation of inherent spin Seebeck effect in Rh/YIG hybrid structure

Rhodium (Rh) is a 4d metal possessing a large spin orbit coupling strength and spin-Hall conductivity with a very small magnetic susceptibility, implying an insignificant magnetic proximity effect (MPE). We report here the observation of longitudinal spin Seebeck effect (LSSE) using Rh as a normal metal. A Rh film was sputtered on nanometer thick YIG films of highly crystalline nature and extremely low magnetic damping to obtain Rh/YIG hybrid structure. A clear thermal voltage V_th (SSE voltage) was obtained when a temperature gradient was applied on the Rh/YIG hybrid. The Rh film showed a very weak anomalous Hall resistance and the magneto-resistive testing clearly ruled out the magnetization of the Rh films via MPE. The anisotropic magnetoresistance (AMR) revealed a clear spin hall magnetoresistance (SMR) signal in Rh film implying a purely intrinsic spin current generation, free from any parasitic magnetic effects. The work can open a new window in the study of pure and uncontaminated spin current, generated in ferromagnetic insulators, using Rh as spin current detector.     

Current-induced spin injection and surface torque in ferromagnetic metallic junctions

The joint influence of two current-induced effects, namely, longitudinal nonequilibrium spin injection and surface torque, on spin-valve-type ferromagnetic metallic junctions is considered theoretically. The current flows normally to layer boundaries. The analysis is based on solving a system of coupled equations of motion for mobile electron and lattice magnetizations. The boundary conditions for the equations of motion are derived from the continuity condition for the total magnetization flux in these subsystems. A dispersion relation is derived for spin wave fluctuations depending on the current through the junction. The fluctuations become unstable at currents exceeding some threshold value (usually, 10⁶?3 × 10⁷ A/cm²). The joint action of longitudinal spin injection and torque lowers the instability threshold. Current-induced spin injection decreases spin wave frequencies near the threshold and can strengthen magnetization pinning at the injecting contact.     

Diffusive spin dynamics in ferromagnetic thin films with a Rashba interaction

In a ferromagnetic metal layer, the coupled charge and spin diffusion equations are obtained in the presence of both Rashba spin-orbit interaction and magnetism. The misalignment between the magnetization and the nonequilibrium spin density induced by the Rashba field gives rise to Rashba spin torque acting on the ferromagnetic order parameter. In a general form, we find that the Rashba torque consists of both in-plane and out-of-plane components, i.e., T=T(perpendicular)y^×m^+T(parallel)m^×(y^×m^). Numerical simulations on a two-dimensional nanowire consider the impact of diffusion on the Rashba torque and reveal a large enhancement to the ratio T(parallel)/T(perpendicular) for thin wires. Our theory provides an explanation for the mechanism driving the magnetization switching in a single ferromagnet as observed in the recent experiments.