Enhanced spin Seebeck effect signal due to spin-momentum locked topological surface states

Zilong Jiang, Cui-Zu Chang, Massoud Ramezani Masir, Chi Tang, Yadong Xu, Jagadeesh S. Moodera, Allan H. MacDonald and Jing Shi ()
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Zilong Jiang: University of California, 3401 Watkins Drive, Riverside, California 92521, USA
Cui-Zu Chang: Francis Bitter Magnet Lab, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Massoud Ramezani Masir: University of Texas at Austin
Chi Tang: University of California, 3401 Watkins Drive, Riverside, California 92521, USA
Yadong Xu: University of California, 3401 Watkins Drive, Riverside, California 92521, USA
Jagadeesh S. Moodera: Francis Bitter Magnet Lab, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Allan H. MacDonald: University of Texas at Austin
Jing Shi: University of California, 3401 Watkins Drive, Riverside, California 92521, USA

Nature Communications, 2016, vol. 7, issue 1, 1-7

Abstract: Abstract Spin-momentum locking in protected surface states enables efficient electrical detection of magnon decay at a magnetic-insulator/topological-insulator heterojunction. Here we demonstrate this property using the spin Seebeck effect (SSE), that is, measuring the transverse thermoelectric response to a temperature gradient across a thin film of yttrium iron garnet, an insulating ferrimagnet, and forming a heterojunction with (BixSb1−x)2Te3, a topological insulator. The non-equilibrium magnon population established at the interface can decay in part by interactions of magnons with electrons near the Fermi energy of the topological insulator. When this decay channel is made active by tuning (BixSb1−x)2Te3 into a bulk insulator, a large electromotive force emerges in the direction perpendicular to the in-plane magnetization of yttrium iron garnet. The enhanced, tunable SSE which occurs when the Fermi level lies in the bulk gap offers unique advantages over the usual SSE in metals and therefore opens up exciting possibilities in spintronics.

Date: 2016
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms11458

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