Transport spin polarisation in SrRuO3 measured through Point Contact Andreev reflection

Abstract

We report a study in which Andreev reflection using a Nb point contact is used to measure the transport spin polarisation of the 4d itinerant ferromagnet SrRuO3. By performing the study in high quality thin films with residual resistivities less than 7micro-ohm-cm, we ensure that the study is done in the ballistic limit, a regime which is difficult to reach in oxide ferromagnets. The degree of transport spin polarisation that we find is comparable to that of the hole doped rare-earth manganites. We conclude that the large transport spin polarisation results mainly from a difference in the Fermi velocities between the majority and minority spin channels in this material.