Optimizing nonlocal spin valves via wide-range interfacial-resistance tuning: Toward spin-accumulation sensors
Spintronic devices known as metallic nonlocal spin valves are leading candidates for next-generation low-resistance hard disk drive read heads but suffer from low signal. This work addresses this challenge through a wide-ranging study of the use of tuned-interface-resistance Al-O barriers, realizing 500-fold enhancement in spin signal even in the ultrathin Al limit. Despite this boost, spin signals still fall short of theoretical predictions, uncovering a universal spin polarization vs. resistance-area product relationship, over twelve orders of magnitude in the resistance-area product.
Authors
- Nileena Nandakumaran (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3647-4008)
- Justin Ramberger (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0005-9131-3233)
- John E. Dewey (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8024-9783)
- Chris Leighton (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2492-0816)
- B. Kaiser (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6592-7144)
- Mikaela Norum (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0005-3523-512X)
Institutions
- University of Minnesota (US)
- University of Minnesota System (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Physical Review Applied
- Published
- 2024-12-13
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevapplied.22.064050
- Citations
- 1
- Primary Topic
- Magnetic properties of thin films
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.34
Funders
- National Science Foundation
- Universitas Multimedia Nusantara
- Energimyndigheten
- Materials Research Science and Engineering Center, Northwestern University