Observation of long-range orbital transport and giant orbital torque

Abstract Modern spintronics relies on the generation of spin currents through spin-orbit coupling. The spin-current generation has been believed to be triggered by current-induced orbital dynamics, which governs the angular momentum transfer from the lattice to the electrons in solids. The fundamental role of the orbital response in the angular momentum dynamics suggests the importance of the orbital counterpart of spin currents: orbital currents. However, evidence for its existence has been elusive. Here, we demonstrate the generation of giant orbital currents and uncover fundamental features of the orbital response. We experimentally and theoretically show that orbital currents propagate over longer…

• CF
  Canon Foundation in Europe
• CF
  Cannon Foundation
• DF
  Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft

  Awards: TRR 288 - 422213477, TRR 173/2 - 268565370 - Spin+X, 268565370, TRR 288, TRR 173, TRR 173/2, 422213477
• RA
  RWTH Aachen University

  Awards: jiff40, jara0062
• JS
  Japan Society for the Promotion of Science

  Awards: 20J20663, 22H04964, 19H00864
• JS
  Japan Science and Technology Agency

  Award: JPMJFR2032