Size dependence of current spin polarization through superconductor/ferromagnet nanocontacts.
The spin polarization P of the transport current through the interface between superconducting Al and ferromagnetic Fe is determined by means of Andreev reflection at nanostructured point contacts. We observe a systematic decrease of P with decreasing contact resistance. Our data provide evidence for the reduction of P by spin-orbit scattering and thus establish a link between density of states and transport spin polarizations.
Physikalisches Institut, Universität Karlsruhe, 76128 Karlsruhe, Germany.
M
M
Stokmaier
G
G
Goll
D
D
Weissenberger
C
C
Sürgers
H V
HV
Löhneysen