Probing the degree of spin polarization of a ferromagnet with ferromagnet/superconductor proximity effect

Abstract

Superconductor/ferromagnet proximity effect has been studied for Pb/Co${}_2$Cr${}_{1-x}$Fe${}_x$Al bilayers. Different substrate temperatures allowed us to prepare the Heusler alloy Co${}_2$Cr${}_{1-x}$Fe${}_x$Al films with different degree of spin polarization of conduction band of the Heusler layer. We obtain a strong correlation between the dependence of the superconducting transition temperature on the Pb-layer thickness at fixed thickness of the Heusler layer and the degree of spin polarization in the ferromagnetic layer.

submitted to Nano Research