Domain-wall-controlled transverse spin injection

Abstract

We propose an effect whereby an electric current along the interface between a ferromagnetic and normal metal leads to injection of pure spin current into the normal metal, if the magnetization-direction in the ferromagnet varies along the direction of current. For the specific example of a ferromagnetic domain wall, we compute the inverse spin-Hall effect voltage this spin current gives rise to when injected into a Pt layer. Furthermore, we show that this pure spin current leads to modification of the parameters that govern spin transfer and current-driven domain-wall motion, which can be use to optimize the latter in layered magnetic systems. This effect in principle enables control over the location of spin-current injection in devices.