Transverse spin injection: from scattering theory to skyrmions

Abstract

In this Thesis we theoretically investigate charge-current-induced spin current injection as a result of a gradient in the magnetization on an interface between a ferromagnetic material and a normal metal, using a continuum scattering method in a three terminal set-up. We fi?nd that the injected spin current is determined by the magnetization, its derivative and their cross product. We also ?find an expression for the reverse e ffect, a spin-current-induced charge current on the same interface. As an application, we consider the injected spin current due to a charge current flowing through a magnetic skyrmion and the eff ect it has on the skyrmion dynamics. We fi?nd that the speed of the skyrmion can be tuned by adjusting the thickness of the layer of the normal metal.