https://doi.org/10.1007/PL00011139
Spin-transport in multi-terminal normal metal-ferromagnet systems with non-collinear magnetizations
1
Harvard University, Lyman Laboratory of Physics, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
2
Delft University of Technology, Laboratory of Applied Physics and Delft Institute for Microelectronics,
Lorentzweg 1, 2628 CJ Delft, The Netherlands
Corresponding author: a brataas@fas.harvard.edu
Received:
5
February
2001
Published online: 15 July 2001
A theory of spin-transport in hybrid normal metal-ferromagnetic electronic circuits is developed, taking into account non-collinear spin-accumulation. Spin-transport through resistive elements is described by 4 conductance parameters. Microscopic expression for these conductances are derived in terms of scattering matrices and explicitly calculated for simple models. The circuit theory is applied to 2-terminal and 3-terminal devices attached to ferromagnetic reservoirs.
PACS: 72.10.Bg – General formulation of transport theory / 72.10.-d – Theory of electronic transport; scattering mechanisms / 75.70.-i – Magnetic properties of thin films, surfaces, and interfaces / 75.70.Pa – Giant magnetoresistance
© EDP Sciences, Società Italiana di Fisica, Springer-Verlag, 2001
