Geometric aspects of spin transport in magnetic multilayers

Abstract

We discuss spin-dependent transfer-matrix formalism applied to magnetic multilayers in geometric terms. Starting from the stationary Schrödinger equation rewritten as a first-order spatial evolution problem, we interpret the transfer matrix as a path-ordered exponential and relate its matching-matrix construction to a noncompact group constraint. We then connect the induced Möbius action on reflection matrices to an Iwasawa decomposition, identify Weyl-chamber variables as the minimal noncompact transport invariants, and show how torque-related spin structures arise from compact-sector and commutator contributions. A sequence of multilayer examples illustrates the transition from pure spin filtering to controlled spin-orbit mixing and the resulting deformation of Weyl-chamber trajectories. We finally comment on the extension to higher-dimensional internal spaces relevant to orbital transport and realistic calculations.