Lanterna Rally

Author: Michael Roy Page

Publisher:

Published: 2016

Total Pages: 234

ISBN-13:

In this dissertation, I explore the interactions that occur between transported spins and magnetization dynamics using spatially resolved imaging and magnetic resonance. The integration of spin transport and dynamics will be a crucial aspect of realizing spintronic devices, which seek to improve upon current charge based electronics. Rather than focusing on the charge degree of freedom as in traditional electronics, spintronics seeks to utilize the properties of the electron spin degree of freedom to revolutionize the fundamental operating principles of data processing and storage devices. Spintronics promises greater functionality and energy efficiency in devices based on electron spin. However, improved understanding and control of the spin degree of freedom is required for spintronics to reach its full potential. The work in this dissertation represents efforts towards addressing these requirements. I discuss my work relating to the development of a custom scanned probe microscope allowing simultaneous spatially resolved imaging while imposing transport in electrically active spintronic devices. Using this microscope, I correlate the switching of magnetic electrodes in a graphene spin valve to the resistance states by directly imaging the electrode magnetization configuration while simultaneously measuring the non-local magnetoresistance. I investigate interactions between a ferromagnet driven into resonance and proximal nitrogen vacancy centers in diamond. Spinwaves generated during the decay of the uniform mode driven to ferromagnetic resonance relax the diamond nitrogen vacancy center spins resulting in a change in the fluorescence intensity. This technique allows the study of transport of angular momentum between two separated spin systems, as well as the possibility for the nanoscale imaging of magnetization dynamics. I demonstrate Heusler alloy ferromagnetic materials as high spin polarization spin injectors for device applications by studying their magnetoresistive output as a function of composition at room and low temperatures. Spin injection efficiency is another important aspect in the performance of spintronic devices, and optimization of spin injection will be of importance in creating realistic devices. Another promising avenue for spin injection relies on the spin Hall effect. I discuss efforts at using the spin Hall effect in platinum to inject spins into an aluminum channel to be detected in another platinum electrode by the inverse spin Hall effect without the need for a ferromagnet, thus reducing complications resulting from the stray field of typical ferromagnetic injectors. I discuss exploration of spin pumping devices based on metallic and insulating ferromagnet/graphene bilayers using ferromagnetic resonance and electrical detection of the inverse spin Hall effect. Spin pumping represents another opportunity to study interactions of spin transport and magnetization dynamics, in this case leveraged for efficient spin injection. Finally, I perform magnetic resonance measurements of thin film iron germanium skyrmionic candidate materials. Skrymions are a candidate for high density and low power magnetic recording. Measuring the dynamics of these materials will be important for a full characterization of their properties. I demonstrate detection of multiple magnetic phases in this material, and show evidence of large internal fields, which may be of interest in stabilizing skrymions in thin films.