Spin relaxation in a nanowire organic spin valve: Observation of extremely long spin relaxation times

Abstract

We report spin valve behavior in an organic nanowire consisting of three layers - cobalt, Alq3 and nickel - all nominally 50 nm in diameter. Based on the data, we conclude that the dominant spin relaxation mechanism in Alq3 is the Elliott-Yafet mode. Despite the very short momentum relaxation time, the spin relaxation time is found to be very long - at least a few milliseconds - and relatively temperature independent up to 100 K. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of an organic nanoscale spin valve, as well as the first determination of the primary spin relaxation mechanism in organics. The unusually long spin relaxation time makes these materials ideal platforms for some areas of spintronics.