Prediction of novel interface-driven spintronic effects

TL;DR

This paper predicts new interface-driven spintronic effects, including novel spin and electrical currents generated or induced by electrical or spin currents at material interfaces, expanding understanding of spin transport phenomena.

Contribution

It introduces the prediction of novel spintronic effects arising from interface coupling between angular momentum density and magnetic moment, which differ from known spin Hall effects.

Findings

Prediction of spin currents generated by electrical currents at interfaces.

Prediction of electrical currents induced by spin currents at interfaces.

Reversibility of spin and electrical currents near interfaces.

Abstract

The recently-proposed coupling between the angular momentum density and magnetic moment [A. Raeliarijaona et al, Phys. Rev. Lett. 110, 137205 (2013)] is shown here to result in the prediction of (i) novel spin currents generated by an electrical current and (ii) new electrical currents induced by a spin current in systems possessing specific interfaces between two different materials. Some of these spin (electrical) currents can be reversed near the interface by reversing the applied electrical (spin) current. Similarities and differences between these novel spintronic effects and the well-known spin Hall and inverse spin Hall effects are also discussed.