Spin-Hall magnetoresistance in platinum on yttrium iron garnet: Dependence on platinum thickness and in-plane/out-of-plane magnetization

The occurrence of spin-Hall magnetoresistance (SMR) in platinum (Pt) on top of yttrium iron garnet (YIG) has been investigated, for both in-plane and out-of-plane applied magnetic fields and for different Pt thicknesses [3, 4, 8, and 35 nm]. Our experiments show that the SMR signal directly depends on the in-plane and out-of-plane magnetization directions of the YIG. This confirms the theoretical description, where the SMR occurs due to the interplay of the spin-orbit interaction in the Pt and the spin-mixing conductance at the YIG/Pt interface. Additionally, the sensitivity of the SMR and spin pumping signals on the YIG/Pt interface conditions is shown by comparing two different deposition techniques (e-beam evaporation and dc sputtering).