Spin charge conversion in Rashba split ferromagnetic interfaces

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates both theoretically and experimentally that Rashba-split electron states in ferromagnetic interfaces can efficiently convert spin accumulation into electrical voltage, offering a new mechanism for spin-charge conversion.

Contribution

It introduces a novel spin-charge conversion mechanism based on Rashba splitting in ferromagnetic interfaces, with experimental validation showing comparable efficiency to inverse spin Hall effect.

Findings

Rashba-split states enable efficient spin-to-charge conversion.

The effect's symmetry depends on magnetization direction.

Experimental results show comparable efficiency to inverse spin Hall effect.

Abstract

We show here theoretically and experimentally that a Rashba-split electron state inside a ferromagnet can efficiently convert a dynamical spin accumulation into an electrical voltage. The effect is understood to stem from the Rashba splitting but with a symmetry linked to the magnetization direction. It is experimentally measured by spin pumping in a CoFeB/MgO structure where it is found to be as efficient as the inverse spin Hall effect at play when Pt replaces MgO, with the extra advantage of not affecting the damping in the ferromagnet.