Gyro-spintronic material science using vorticity gradient in solids

Nozaki, Yukio*; Sukegawa, Hiroaki*; Watanabe, Shinichi*; Yunoki, Seiji*; Horaguchi, Taisuke*; Nakayama, Hayato*; Yamanoi, Kazuto*; Wen, Z.*; He, C.*; Song, J.*; Okubo, Tadakatsu*; Mitani, Seiji*; Maezawa, Kazuki*; Nishikawa, Daichi*; Fujii, Shun*; Matsuo, Mamoru; Fujimoto, Junji*; Maekawa, Sadamichi*

We present a novel method for generating spin currents using the gyromagnetic effect, a phenomenon discovered over a century ago. This effect, crucial for understanding the origins of magnetism, enables the coupling between various macroscopic rotational motions and electron spins. While higher rotational speeds intensify the effect, conventional mechanical rotations, typically, below 10,000 RPM, produce negligible results comparable to geomagnetic fluctuations, limiting applied research. Our studies demonstrate that spin current generation comparable to that of rare metals can be achieved through atomic rotations induced by GHz- range surface acoustic waves and the rotational motion of conduction electrons in metallic thin films with nanoscale gradient modulation of electrical conductivity. These effects, termed the acoustic gyromagnetic effect and the current-vorticity gyromagnetic effect, are significant in different contexts.