Sizable spin-to-charge conversion in PLD-grown amorphous (Mo, W)Te_2-films

Area of Science:

• Condensed Matter Physics
• Materials Science
• Spintronics

Background:

• Spin-to-charge conversion (SCC) is crucial for spintronic devices.
• Developing efficient materials for SCC is an active research area.
• Ternary transition metal tellurides offer potential for novel spintronic properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the SCC properties of amorphous Mo_0.25W_0.75Te_2-(MWT) films.
• To evaluate MWT as a potential spin-source material for spintronic applications.
• To understand the underlying mechanism of SCC in MWT/YIG heterostructures.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of centimeter-scale amorphous MWT films on Y₃Fe₅O₁₂ (YIG) using pulsed laser deposition.
• Spin pumping experiments to measure SCC voltage and spin Hall angle.
• Control experiments using MgO and Ag interlayers to differentiate SCC mechanisms.

Main Results:

• Significant SCC voltage observed in MWT films at room temperature.
• Sizable spin Hall angle of approximately 0.021 determined for MWT.
• Inverse spin Hall effect identified as the dominant SCC mechanism, ruling out thermal or interfacial Rashba effects.

Conclusions:

• Amorphous MWT exhibits efficient spin-to-charge conversion at room temperature.
• MWT is a promising novel spin-source material for energy-efficient topological spintronic devices.
• The study elucidates the inverse spin Hall effect as the primary contributor to SCC in these heterostructures.