Spin Pumping in the Presence of Spin-Orbit Coupling

Abstract

Spin pumping and related phenomena have been observed recently in heavy metals and topological insulators, where the spin-orbit coupling plays an essential role. We have developed a spin-pumping formalism that explicitly includes the spin-orbit coupling at interfaces and disorder in the layers. Spin pumping across an interface with spin-orbit coupling and the attendant backflow are treated on an equal footing. We resolve some long-standing issues on the conflicting conclusions about the spin-diffusion length for Pt, and the origin of spin-memory loss at interfaces with heavy metals. In addition, we predict some heretofore unanticipated spin-pumping phenomena.