X-ray Detection of Transient Magnetic Moments Induced by a Spin Current in Cu

R. Kukreja, S. Bonetti, Z. Chen, D. Backes, Y. Acremann, J. A. Katine, A. D. Kent, H. A. Dürr, H. Ohldag, J. Stöhr

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    Abstract

    We have used a MHz lock-in x-ray spectromicroscopy technique to directly detect changes in magnetic moment of Cu due to spin injection from an adjacent Co layer. The elemental and chemical specificity of x rays allows us to distinguish two spin current induced effects. We detect the creation of transient magnetic moments of 3×10-5μB on Cu atoms within the bulk of the 28 nm thick Cu film due to spin accumulation. The moment value is compared to predictions by Mott's two current model. We also observe that the hybridization induced existing magnetic moments at the Cu interface atoms are transiently increased by about 10% or 4×10-3μB per atom. This reveals the dominance of spin-torque alignment over Joule heat induced disorder of the interfacial Cu moments during current flow.

    Original languageEnglish (US)
    Article number096601
    JournalPhysical Review Letters
    Volume115
    Issue number9
    DOIs
    StatePublished - Aug 24 2015

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • General Physics and Astronomy

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