Energy and momentum conservation in spin transfer

Abstract

We utilize simulations of spin-polarized electron scattering by a chain of localized quantum spins to show that energy and linear momentum conservation laws impose strong constraints on the properties of magnetic excitations induced by spin transfer. In turn, electron's orbital and spin dynamics depends on the dynamical characteristics of the local spins. Our results suggest the possibility to achieve precise control of spin transfer-driven magnetization dynamics by tailoring the spectral characteristics of the magnetic systems and the driving electrons.