Universal angular magnetoresistance and spin torque in ferromagnetic/normal metal hybrids

Abstract

The electrical resistance of ferromagnetic/normal-metal (F/N) heterostructures depends on the nature of the junctions which may be tunnel barriers, point contacts, or intermetallic interfaces. For all junction types, the resistance of disordered F/N/F perpendicular spin valves as a function of the angle between magnetization vectors is shown to obey a simple universal law. The spin-current induced magnetization torque can be measured by the angular magnetoresistance of these spin valves. The results are generalized to arbitrary magnetoelectronic circuits.