Detection of current induced spin polarization in epitaxial Bi${}_2$Te${}_3$ thin film

Abstract

We electrically detect charge current induced spin polarization on the surface of molecular beam epitaxy grown Bi${}_2$Te${}_3$ thin film in a two-terminal device with a ferromagnetic MgO/Fe and a nonmagnetic Ti/Au contact. The two-point resistance, measured in an applied magnetic field, shows a hysteresis tracking the magnetization of the Fe. A theoretical estimate is obtained for the change in resistance on reversing the magnetization direction of Fe from coupled spin-charge transport equations based on quantum kinetic theory. The order of magnitude and the sign of the hysteresis is consistent with spin-polarized surface state of Bi${}_2$Te${}_3$.

11 pages (including references), 4 figures (including supplementary information), accepted in journal