Measurement of Conduction Electron Polarization Via the Pairing Resonance

Abstract

We show that the pairing resonance in the Pauli-limited normal state of ultra-thin superconducting Al films provides a spin-resolved probe of conduction electron polarization in thin magnetic films. A superconductor-insulator-ferromagnet tunneling junction is used to measure the density of states in supercritical parallel magnetic fields that are well beyond the Clogston-Chandresekhar limit, thus greatly extending the field range of the tunneling density of states technique. The applicability and limitations of using the pairing resonance as a spin probe are discussed.

4 figures; to appear in PRL