Back to Search Start Over

High spin polarization and spin signal enhancement in non-local spin valves with Co–Fe alloy injectors and detectors

Authors :
B. Kaiser
J. Ramberger
J. D. Watts
J. Dewey
Y. Zhang
C. Leighton
Source :
APL Materials, Vol 11, Iss 5, Pp 051108-051108-8 (2023)
Publication Year :
2023
Publisher :
AIP Publishing LLC, 2023.

Abstract

For applications such as spin accumulation sensors for next-generation hard disk drive read heads, and for fundamental research, it is desirable to increase the spin signal in metallic non-local spin valves, which are central devices in spintronics. To this end, here, we report on the integration of high-spin-polarization Co–Fe binary alloy ferromagnetic injectors and detectors in Al-based non-local spin valves. Room-temperature deposition on amorphous substrates from an alloy target is shown to generate smooth, polycrystalline (110-textured), solid-solution body-centered-cubic Co75Fe25 films, which we characterize by energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, x-ray reflectivity, atomic force microscopy, and electronic transport. Simple integration into transparent-interface Al non-local spin valves is then shown to realize up to a factor of ∼5 enhancement of the spin signal relative to Co, with full quantitative analysis yielding strikingly temperature-independent current spin polarizations exceeding 60%. We make a detailed quantitative comparison of these values with prior literature, concluding that Co–Fe alloys present a remarkably facile route to higher spin polarization and spin signals in non-local spin valves, with minimal barrier to adoption.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
2166532X
Volume :
11
Issue :
5
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
APL Materials
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.0cc22fdc916948d59b9e370045a06702
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0147465