# Modification of spintronic terahertz emitter performance through defect engineering

## TL;DR

This paper investigates how defect engineering in spintronic heterostructures can enhance THz emission by controlling electron scattering and interface transmission, providing a pathway for optimizing spintronic THz sources.

## Contribution

It introduces a detailed analysis of defect-related parameters affecting THz emission, offering new insights into engineering spintronic emitters for improved performance.

## Key findings

- Electron-defect scattering lifetime influences spectral shape.
- Interface transmission affects THz amplitude.
- Defect engineering can optimize THz pulse characteristics.

## Abstract

Spintronic ferromagnetic/non-magnetic heterostructures are novel sources for the generation of THz radiation based on spin-to-charge conversion in the layers. The key technological and scientific challenge of THz spintronic emitters is to increase their intensity and frequency bandwidth. Our work reveals the factors to engineer spintronic Terahertz generation by introducing the scattering lifetime and the interface transmission for spin polarized, non-equilibrium electrons. We clarify the influence of the electron-defect scattering lifetime on the spectral shape and the interface transmission on the THz amplitude, and how this is linked to structural defects of bilayer emitters. The results of our study define a roadmap of the properties of emitted as well as detected THz-pulse shapes and spectra that is essential for future applications of metallic spintronic THz emitters.