Size Dependence of Current Spin Polarization Through Superconductor/Ferromagnet Nanocontacts
arXiv:0809.1576 · doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.101.147005
Abstract
The spin polarization P of the transport current through the interface between superconducting Al and ferromagnetic Fe is determined by means of Andreev reflection at nanostructured point contacts. We observe a systematic decrease of P with decreasing contact resistance. Our data provide evidence for the reduction of P by spin-orbit scattering and thus establish a link between density-of-states and transport spin polarizations.
4 pages, 4 figures, accepted for publication in Phys. Rev. Lett