Direct Observation of the Reciprocity between Spin Current and Phonon Interconversion

TL;DR

This paper experimentally demonstrates the reciprocal conversion between spin current and phonons using a two-port device, revealing potential for spin-current based phononic devices like gyrators.

Contribution

It provides the first experimental evidence of direct and inverse spin current-phonon interconversion within a single setup, advancing spintronics and phononics integration.

Findings

Spin current can generate phonons in a piezoelectric substrate.

Phonons can induce spin currents, demonstrating reciprocity.

The phase shift in transmission confirms the interconversion mechanism.

Abstract

Spin current has emerged as a leading candidate for manipulation of spins in a nano-magnet. We here experimentally show another utility of spin current viz. it can be used for generation of phonons. Within the same experimental setup, we also demonstrate the inverse effect of generation of spin current by phonons. To demonstrate them, we measured the scattering-matrix of a two-port device with interdigital transducers as one port and array of Ni/Pt lines as second port on piezoelectric substrate. The off-diagonal elements which correspond to transmission between the ports, were found to have 180 degree relative phase shift. The transmission of electrical signal from port 2 to 1 corresponds to generation of phonons from spin-current, while transmission from port 1 to 2 corresponds to the inverse effect. These results could be useful for designing spin-current based gyrators.