Journal
PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS
Volume 128, Issue 20, Pages -Publisher
AMER PHYSICAL SOC
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.128.207201
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Funding
- National Science Foundation (NSF) [DMR-1807124, DMR-2103711]
- Advanced Storage Research Committee (ASRC)
- Seagate Technology Inc.
- NSF through the National Nanotechnology Coordinated Infrastructure [ECCS-2025124]
- NSF through the MRSEC program
- UK EPSRC [EP/P005713/1, EP/V035134/1]
- UK Royal Society [RGS\R2\180208]
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The Elliott-Yafet theory of spin relaxation in nonmagnetic metals, which predicts the proportionality between spin and momentum relaxation times for scattering centers such as phonons, is tested in Al nanowires. The study reveals a significant finite-size effect on the Elliott-Yafet proportionality constant for phonon scattering, attributed to strong phonon-induced spin relaxation at surfaces and interfaces, particularly driven by enhanced spin-orbit coupling.
The Elliott-Yafet theory of spin relaxation in nonmagnetic metals predicts proportionality between spin and momentum relaxation times for scattering centers such as phonons. Here, we test this theory in Al nanowires over a very large thickness range (8.5-300 nm), finding that the Elliott-Yafet proportionality constant for phonon scattering in fact exhibits a large, unanticipated finite-size effect. Supported by analytical and numerical modeling, we explain this via strong phonon-induced spin relaxation at surfaces and interfaces, driven in particular by enhanced spin-orbit coupling.
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