Probing the Spin Transfer Efficiency at Topological Insulator/Ferromagnetic Insulator Interfaces

The development of next-generation spintronics devices has driven extensive studies of spin-charge conversion through measurement of the inverse spin Hall effect (ISHE) and ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) driven spin pumping of pure spin currents in ferromagnet/non-magnet bilayers. Topological insulators (TIs) such as the Bi-chalcogenides are naturally relevant in this context because the inherent spin-momentum “locking” in their surface states promises very efficient spin-charge conversion, although the first experimental studies have involved ferromagnetic metals that provide a shunting current path [e.g. Nature, 511,449 (2014)]. To circumvent the current shunting problem, we are growing and characterizing bilayers of TIs and the ferrimagnetic insulator Y$_3$Fe$_5$O$_{12}$ (YIG). Here, we report measurements of FMR-driven spin pumping in TI/YIG bilayers, showing robust spin pumping signals at room temperature. Analysis of the ISHE voltages and FMR linewidth broadening show that, as in other studies of spin pumping into TIs [Nano Lett., 15 (10) (2015)], the interface condition presents a critical challenge for enhancing the spin conversion efficiency in these devices.