Thermal spin transfer torque dynamics and tunnelling magneto Seebeck effect in magnetic nanostructures

• Applicant: Privatdozent Dr. Hans-Werner Schumacher
• Subject Area: Experimental Condensed Matter Physics
• Term: from 2011 to 2018
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 197648712

In this project, the effect of thermal spin torques on the magnetization dynamics of ferromagnetic nanostructures will be investigated. Nanostructured spin valves and magnetic tunnel junction cells will be fabricated by sputter deposition and clean room patterning. Thermal gradients between the ferromagnetic layers of the nanostructures will be generated by local optical or ohmic heating. The influence of thermal spin currents on the magnetization dynamics will be investigated by dc and high frequency magneto transport experiments. Time and frequency domain magneto transport ferromagnetic resonance measurements and measurements of the transport magnetic noise spectrum will allow to evidence magnetic precessional excitations induced by thermal spin currents and thus to evidence thermal spin transfer torque in the nanostructures. Room temperature experiments will be supported by measurements at variable cryogenic temperatures. The efficiency of thermal spin transfer torques will be studied with respect to possible future applications. This project will provide a deep insight into a promising new mechanism of spin caloric transport and will underpin potential future applications of thermal spin torques in magnetic nanostructures.

• DFG Programme: Priority Programmes
• Subproject of: SPP 1538: Spin Caloric Transport (SpinCaT)
• International Connection: Portugal
• Participating Person: Dr. Santiago Serrano-Guisan