Nonreciprocal Spin Current Generation in Surface-Oxidized Copper Films

Genki Okano, Mamoru Matsuo, Yuichi Ohnuma, Sadamichi Maekawa, Yukio Nozaki

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

26 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We experimentally demonstrate the nonreciprocal generation of spin current (Js) in a surface-oxidized copper film. The efficiency of conversion is at least 320 times larger than the inverse conversion. This nonreciprocity is due to a novel type of Js generation, which relies on the transfer of angular momentum from the velocity field of free electrons. A gradient in the electrical mobility in the film produces vorticity in the in-plane drift velocity of the free electrons. The inverse process can hardly occur when Js is collinear with the gradient in the electrical mobility.

Original languageEnglish
Article number217701
JournalPhysical review letters
Volume122
Issue number21
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2019 May 29

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Physics and Astronomy(all)

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