Detection of current-induced spins by ferromagnetic contacts

Adagideli, Inanc; Bauer, Gerrit E. W.; Halperin, Bertrand I.

Detection of current-induced spins by ferromagnetic contacts

Authors

Adagideli, Inanc

Bauer, Gerrit E. W.

Halperin, Bertrand I.

Description

Detection of current-induced spin accumulation via ferromagnetic contacts is discussed. Onsager's relations forbid that in a two-probe configuration spins excited by currents in time-reversal symmetric systems can be detected by switching the magnetization of a ferromangetic detector contact. Nevertheless, current-induced spins can be transferred as a torque to a contact magnetization and affect the charge currents in many-terminal configurations. We demonstrate the general concepts by solving the microscopic transport equations for the diffuse Rashba system with magnetic contacts.
Accpeted for publication in Physical Review Letters, 5 pages, 3 color figures, RevTeX