Spin-Current Detection via an Interfacial Molecular Paramagnet

Abstract

Measuring and understanding the properties and interactions of spin currents at interfaces are important for the design of future low-dissipation devices for logic and data storage. Traditional detection schemes are indirect, using the inverse spin Hall effect to convert the spin current into a voltage. Taking a different approach, the authors present a contact-free probe of spin current, based on paramagnetic adsorbates, that combines electron-spin-resonance detection with ferromagnetic-resonance excitation to monitor spin-pumping effects at an interface $d\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}i\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}r\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}e\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}c\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}t\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}l\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}y$, with atomic precision.