Phonon-induced spin relaxation of conduction electrons in aluminum

TL;DR

This paper calculates the spin relaxation time in aluminum due to phonon interactions, validating theoretical models with experimental data and providing detailed insights into spin-flip mechanisms in metals.

Contribution

It introduces a first-principles calculation of the spin-flip Eliashberg function and spin relaxation time in aluminum, confirming the validity of the Elliott-Yafet theory.

Findings

Calculated spin-flip Eliashberg function $oldsymbol{ ext{α}_S^2F}$ for aluminum.

Found spin-flip electron-phonon coupling constant $oldsymbol{ ext{λ}_S = 2.5 imes 10^{-5}}$.

Results agree with experimental measurements, supporting existing spin relaxation models.

Abstract

Spin-flip Eliashberg function $\alpha_S^2F$ and temperature-dependent spin relaxation time $T_1(T)$ are calculated for aluminum using realistic pseudopotentials. The spin-flip electron-phonon coupling constant $\lambda_S$ is found to be $2.5\times 10^{-5}$. The calculations agree with experiments validating the Elliott-Yafet theory and the spin-hot-spot picture of spin relaxation for polyvalent metals.