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Published on: March 24, 2019
Intrinsic spin Seebeck effect in Au/YIG.
1Department of Physics and Astronomy, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, USA.
Physical Review Letters
|February 26, 2013
Summary
Platinum/Yttrium Iron Garnet (Pt/YIG) proximity effects hinder spin current detection. Gold/Yttrium Iron Garnet (Au/YIG) offers a clearer view of the intrinsic spin Seebeck effect, despite smaller magnitudes.
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Materials Science
- Spintronics
Background:
- Platinum (Pt) and Yttrium Iron Garnet (YIG) interfaces exhibit acute magnetic proximity effects.
- These effects compromise the reliability of Pt as a spin current detector in spintronic devices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the suitability of Gold/Yttrium Iron Garnet (Au/YIG) as an alternative material for detecting the intrinsic spin Seebeck effect.
- To compare the spin Seebeck effect in Au/YIG with that observed in Pt/YIG.
- To understand the magnetic properties at the interfaces using theoretical calculations.
Main Methods:
- Experimental measurements of the spin Seebeck effect in Au/YIG and Pt/YIG heterostructures.
- Characterization of magnetoresistance and anomalous Hall effect in the studied systems.
- Spin-polarized density functional theory (SP-DFT) calculations to determine magnetic moments at the interfaces.
Main Results:
- Au/YIG exhibits no significant anomalous Hall effect and negligible magnetoresistance, ideal for sensitive measurements.
- The intrinsic spin Seebeck effect in Au/YIG was successfully measured, albeit with a smaller magnitude compared to Pt/YIG.
- SP-DFT calculations confirmed a sizable magnetic moment for Pt and a negligible magnetic moment for Au at the YIG interface.
Conclusions:
- Au/YIG serves as a more suitable platform for measuring the intrinsic spin Seebeck effect due to the absence of confounding proximity effects.
- The findings highlight the importance of interface magnetic properties in spintronic device applications.
- Understanding and controlling interface effects are crucial for advancing spintronics research.
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