Scaling of Spin Hall Angle in 3d, 4d, and 5d Metals from Y 3 Fe 5 O 12 /Metal Spin Pumping

We have investigated spin pumping from Y3Fe5O12 thin films into Cu, Ag, Ta, W, Pt, and Au with varying spin-orbit coupling strengths. From measurements of Gilbert damping enhancement and inverse spin Hall signals spanning 3 orders of magnitude, we determine the spin Hall angles and interfacial spin mixing conductances for the six metals. The spin Hall angles largely vary as Z(4) (Z: atomic number), corroborating the role of spin-orbit coupling. Amongst the four 5d metals, the variation of the spin Hall angle is dominated by the sensitivity of the d-orbital moment to the d-electron count, confirming theoretical predictions.

• NS
  National Science Foundation

  Award: DMR-0820414
• UD
  U.S. Department of Energy

  Award: DE-FG02-03ER46054