Theory of spin Hall magnetoresistance

Journal article (2013)
Department
QN/Quantum Nanoscience (AS) (TU Delft)
Copyright: © 2013 American Physical Society
DOI: https://doi.org/doi:10.1103/PhysRevB.87.144411
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Published Date

12-04-2013

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Source:

Physical Review B, 87 (14), 2013

Faculty

Applied Sciences

Department

QN/Quantum Nanoscience

Abstract

We present a theory of the spin Hall magnetoresistance (SMR) in multilayers made from an insulating ferromagnet F, such as yttrium iron garnet (YIG), and a normal metal N with spin-orbit interactions, such as platinum (Pt). The SMR is induced by the simultaneous action of spin Hall and inverse spin Hall effects and therefore a nonequilibrium proximity phenomenon. We compute the SMR in F|N and F|N|F layered systems, treating N by spin-diffusion theory with quantum mechanical boundary conditions at the interfaces in terms of the spin-mixing conductance. Our results explain the experimentally observed spin Hall magnetoresistance in N|F bilayers. For F|N|F spin valves we predict an enhanced SMR amplitude when magnetizations are collinear. The SMR and the spin-transfer torques in these trilayers can be controlled by the magnetic configuration.

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