Spin-transfer in diffusive ferromagnet-normal metal systems with spin-flip scattering

Alexey Kovalev, Arne Brataas, Gerrit E. W. Bauer

Published 2002-07-18Version 1

The spin-transfer in biased disordered ferromagnet (F) - normal metal (N) systems is calculated by the diffusion equation. For F1-N2-F2 and N1-F1-N2-F2-N3 spin valves, the effect of spin-flip processes in the normal metal and ferromagnet parts are obtained analytically. Spin-flip in the center metal N2 reduces the spin-transfer, whereas spin-flip in the outer normal metals N1 and N3 can increase it by effectively enhancing the spin polarization of the device.