Phonon-enhanced spin-dependent Seebeck effect in magnetic carbon films

Wang, C.*; Yang, Z.*; Ren, Q.*; Mo. X.*; Kikkawa, Takashi; Daimon, Shunsuke*; Diao, D.*; Saito, Eiji

Disordered carbon offers untapped potential for spin caloritronics. We report a phonon-enhanced spin-dependent Seebeck effect (SDSE) in a magnetic carbon film (MCF) with graphene nano-crystallites (10 nm), interfaced with Pt. In a longitudinal setup, the transverse thermoelectric voltage () peaks at () at 220 K, driven by a thermally induced spin current via the inverse spin Hall effect. Raman spectroscopy reveals a coincident G-band redshift peak, suggesting a phonon-spin resonance unique to MCF's hybrid structure. X-ray absorption spectra confirm stable sp states, potentially mediating this effect. A multiple-sample study in addition reveals that smaller crystallites enhance SDSE. Unlike pristine graphene or insulators, MCF's weak ferromagnetism and phonon dynamics yield an unconventional spin-thermal regime. This finding redefines carbon's role in spin caloritronics, with tunable nano-crystallite size as a design parameter.