Calculating interface transport parameters at finite temperatures: Nonmagnetic interfaces

Abstract

First-principles scattering calculations are used to investigate spin transport through interfaces between diffusive nonmagnetic metals where the symmetry lowering leads to an enhancement of the effect of spin-orbit coupling (SOC) and to a discontinuity of the spin currents passing through the interfaces. From the conductance and local spin currents calculated for nonmagnetic bilayers, we extract values of the room temperature interface resistance $R_{\rm I}$, of the spin memory loss parameter $\delta$ and of the interface spin Hall angle $\Theta_{\rm I}$ for nonmagnetic Au$|$Pt and Au$|$Pd interfaces using a frozen thermal disorder scheme to model finite temperatures. Substantial values of all three parameters are found with important consequences for experiments involving nonmagnetic spacer and capping layers. The temperature dependence of the interface parameters is determined for Au$|$Pt.