Landau-Lifshitz theory of the longitudinal spin Seebeck effect

Abstract

Thermal-bias-induced spin angular momentum transfer between a paramagnetic metal and ferromagnetic insulator is studied theoretically based on the stochastic Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert (LLG) phenomenology. Magnons in the ferromagnet establish a nonequilibrium steady state by equilibrating with phonons via bulk Gilbert damping and electrons in the paramagnet via spin pumping, according to the fluctuation-dissipation theorem. Subthermal magnons and the associated spin currents are treated classically, while the appropriate quantum crossover is imposed on high-frequency magnetic fluctuations. We identify several length scales in the ferromagnet, which govern qualitative changes in the dependence of the thermally-induced spin current on the magnetic film thickness.