Surface acoustic wave driven acoustic spin splitter in d-wave altermagnetic thin films

TL;DR

This paper proposes a novel method using surface acoustic waves to generate and control spin currents in altermagnetic thin films, enabling an acoustic spin splitter with broad material applicability.

Contribution

It introduces the concept of an acoustic spin splitter driven by SAWs in altermagnetic materials, including both metallic and insulating thin films, with a realistic experimental detection scheme.

Findings

Calculated spin current and inverse spin Hall voltage for representative parameters

Demonstrated tunability of spin current via SAW frequency

Applicable to both metallic and insulating altermagnetic thin films

Abstract

The generation of spin currents is a key challenge in the field of spintronics. We propose using surface acoustic waves (SAWs) to generate spin currents in altermagnetic thin films, thereby realizing an acoustic spin splitter. Altermagnets, characterized by spin-polarized electrons and magnons, provide a versatile platform where SAWs can drive spin currents carried by both charge carriers and magnons. This acoustic spin splitter can be implemented in both metallic and insulating altermagnetic thin films, offering broad material applicability and a novel way to detect the spin splitter effect in insulating altermagnetic thin film. We examine a realistic experimental setup where a heavy metal layer, such as platinum, is used to convert the spin current into a measurable charge current via the inverse spin Hall effect. For representative material parameters, we calculate the expected spin current and the corresponding inverse spin Hall voltage. Furthermore, we demonstrate that tuning the SAW frequency allows for precise control over the spin current, highlighting the versatility and potential of the acoustic spin splitter for future spintronics applications.