Switchable spin-current source controlled by magnetic domain walls

Nano Lett. 2014 Jul 9;14(7):4016-22. doi: 10.1021/nl501453p. Epub 2014 Jun 3.

Abstract

Using nonlocal spin injection, spin-orbit coupling, or spincaloritronic effects, the manipulation of pure spin currents in nanostructures underlies the development of new spintronic devices. Here, we demonstrate the possibility to create switchable pure spin current sources, controlled by magnetic domain walls. When the domain wall is located at a given point of the magnetic circuit, a pure spin current is injected into a nonmagnetic wire. Using the reciprocal measurement configuration, we demonstrate that the proposed device can also be used as a pure spin current detector. Thanks to its simple geometry, this device can be easily implemented in spintronics applications; in particular, a single current source can be used both to induce the domain wall motion and to generate the spin signal.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't