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Long-range spin accumulation from heat injection in mesoscopic superconductors with Zeeman splitting
M Silaev1,2, P Virtanen1, F S Bergeret3
1Low Temperature Laboratory, Department of Applied Physics, Aalto University, FI-00076 Aalto, Finland.
Physical Review Letters
|May 9, 2015
Summary
We found that Zeeman splitting in superconducting wires causes spin accumulation that persists due to thermalization, leading to detectable nonlocal signals. This explains long-range spin transport in these materials.
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Quantum Materials Science
- Superconductivity
Background:
- Nonlocal transport phenomena in superconductors are crucial for spintronic applications.
- Understanding spin relaxation mechanisms is key to controlling spin accumulation.
- Zeeman splitting introduces spin-dependent effects in superconducting systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate far-from-equilibrium nonlocal transport in diffusive superconducting wires with Zeeman splitting.
- To analyze the role of spin relaxation mechanisms on spin accumulation.
- To provide a theoretical model explaining experimental observations.
Main Methods:
- Theoretical modeling of nonlocal transport in diffusive superconducting wires.
- Inclusion of Zeeman splitting and various spin relaxation mechanisms.
- Analysis of spin accumulation dynamics and thermalization effects.
Main Results:
- Zeeman splitting induces spin accumulation upon current injection.
- Spin accumulation relaxation occurs primarily through thermalization.
- Long-range spin accumulation is detectable via nonlocal signals.
- The model accurately fits experimental results with realistic parameters.
Conclusions:
- The study elucidates the mechanism of long-range spin accumulation in superconducting wires with Zeeman splitting.
- The findings offer a qualitative explanation and quantitative validation of experimental data.
- This work contributes to the understanding of spin transport in superconductors for potential device applications.
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