First-principles calculations of spin relaxation times of conduction electrons in Cu with nonmagnetic impurities

Abstract

We have performed ab initio calculations of the spin relaxation time of conduction electrons in Cu containing different types of substitutional non-magnetic impurities. The results obtained with the treatment of the spin-flip transition matrix in the Born approximation are in good agreement with conduction electron spin resonance experiments. The distribution of the spin relaxation time over the Fermi surface is strongly related to the electronic properties of the impurity atom. The important role of charge relaxation around the impurity is discussed.