Regensburg 2016 – scientific programme

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MA: Fachverband Magnetismus

MA 30: Spin-Torque Phenomena

MA 30.1: Invited Talk

Wednesday, March 9, 2016, 09:30–10:00, H33

Spin-orbit torques and charge pumping in crystalline magnets — •Chiara Ciccarelli — Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, JJ Thomson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0HE

In magnetic crystals with an inversion asymmetric unit cell a non-zero global spin-polarization is generated by an electrical current, which acts with a torque on the magnetisation exciting magnetic dynamics [1]. This relativistic non-equilibrium spin phenomenon also has a reciprocal effect in which the excitation of magnons results in the pumping of a charge current [2].

I will start by reviewing our recent research on spin-orbit torques (SOTs) in crystalline magnets, in particular our very recent measurements of room temperature SOT in half-Heusler NiMnSb thin films. With this experiment we are able to fully characterise magnitude and symmetry of the SOTs [3, 4]. I will then talk about the first demonstration of magnonic charge pumping in crystal magnet GaMnAs [2]. In this effect, which is the reciprocal effect of SOTs, the precessing ferromagnet pumps a charge current. Differently from spin pumping, which is commonly used to electrically detect magnetization dynamics, in charge pumping magnons are converted within the ferromagnet into high-frequency currents via the relativistic spin-orbit interaction, without the need of a secondary spin-charge conversion element, such as heavy metals with large spin Hall angle.

References 1. Chernyshov et al., Nature Physics 5, 656 (2009). 2. Ciccarelli et al., Nature Nano 10, 50 (2014). 3. Fang et al., Nature Nano 6, 413 (2011). 4. Kurebayashi et al., Nature Nano 9, 211 (2014).