i-RTG Lectures

Spin transport measurements are a powerful tool to explore material properties of magnetic materials for fundamental and applied physics research. Their description needs a fundamental understanding of the interaction between the electronic and magnetic system. There, being confronted with the multitude of effects and systems existing nowadays might feel a bit overwhelming when getting started in the field. This lecture is meant to give an introduction into the fundamental “why”, “how” and “what” of spin transport experiments from an experimental view point. It aims at giving you as a student the necessary basics that you need to know to get started.

Specifically, we will discuss the following points:

• What is spin transport?

• What do we gain from doing spin transport experiments?

• How can we describe the spin transport?

• What are different types of magnetoresistances and where do they occur?

• What are different measurement geometries and where will they be used?