Long Spin Diffusion Length in Few-Layer Graphene Flakes

Phys Rev Lett. 2016 Sep 30;117(14):147201. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.117.147201. Epub 2016 Sep 27.

Abstract

We report a spin valve with a few-layer graphene flake bridging highly spin-polarized La_{0.67}Sr_{0.33}MnO_{3} electrodes, whose surfaces are kept clean during lithographic definition. Sharp magnetic switching is verified using photoemission electron microscopy with x-ray magnetic circular dichroism contrast. A naturally occurring high interfacial resistance ∼12 MΩ facilitates spin injection, and a large resistive switching (0.8 MΩ at 10 K) implies a 70-130 μm spin diffusion length that exceeds previous values obtained with sharp-switching electrodes.