Effect of Addition of Al to Single-Crystalline CoFe Electrodes on Nonlocal Spin Signals in Lateral Spin-Valve Devices

Using single-crystalline spin injectors and detectors, we examine the effect of the addition of Al to CoFe electrodes on nonlocal spin signals in metallic lateral spin valves (LSVs). A molecular beam epitaxy technique enables us to obtain Heusler-alloy-like CoFeAl epitaxial layers with an ordered B2 structure. The LSVs with the CoFeAl electrodes show a remarkable enhancement of the nonlocal spin signals, six times larger than that of the LSV with the CoFe electrodes, at room temperature. The relatively low electrical resistivity of the CoFeAl electrodes means that the enhancement of the spin signals originates from an increase in the spin polarization due to the Al addition to CoFe. (C) 2012 The Japan Society of Applied Physics