Absence of cross-sublattice spin pumping and spin-transfer torques in collinear antiferromagnets

Abstract

We resolve the debate over the existence and magnitude of cross-sublattice (CS) contributions to spin pumping and spin-transfer torques in a two-sublattice antiferromagnet connected to a non-magnetic metal. Guided by symmetry considerations, we first relate the controversial CS terms to specific components in the spin conductance matrix. Then we quantify these components by studying the spin-dependent electron scattering on a fully compensated interface. We ascertain the absence of all CS contributions in the collinear regime. Even in the non-collinear regime, the CS contributions only constitute a higher-order correction to the existing theory.