Spin accumulation driven by Surface Acoustic Waves in 3d metals

Spin accumulation in non-magnetic (NM) metals is a crucial phenomenon in spintronics, enabling efficient spin current generation for applications in low-power electronics and quantum computing. In this study, we want to investigate spin accumulation in Cu and Ti driven by surface acoustic waves (SAWs) through two distinct mechanisms: spin pumping arising from magnetoacoustic waves in Ni and spin-rotation coupling (SRC) in the case of a single layer of Cu. Using X-ray photoemission electron microscopy (X-PEEM) at the CIRCE beamline, we aim to detect and characterize these effects with high spatial and spectral resolution. By employing SAW-induced magnetization dynamics, we will explore the DC and AC spin pumping contributions in LNO/Ni/Cu and LNO/Ni/Ti heterostructures while searching for an orbital component in Ti. Additionally, we seek to provide direct evidence of SRC in thick Cu films using the spectroscopic X-ray magnetic circular dichroism effect, still lacking in the literature. The findings from this study will contribute to a deeper understanding of spin dynamics in SAW-driven systems, paving the way for novel spintronic applications.