We present the Co-Gd composition dependence of the spin-Hall magnetoresistance (SMR) and anisotropic magnetoresistance (AMR) for ferrimagnetic Co 100-x Gd x / Pt bilayers. With Gd concentration x, its magnetic moment increasingly competes with the Co moment in the net magnetization. We find a nearly compensated ferrimagnetic state at x = 24. The AMR changes sign from positive to negative with increasing x, vanishing near the magnetization compensation. On the other hand, the SMR does not vary significantly even where the AMR vanishes. These experimental results indicate that very different scattering mechanisms are responsible for AMR and SMR. We discuss a possible origin for the alloy composition dependence.Page 5 the anisotropic magnetoresistance (AMR) that occur simultaneously in all-metal magnetic bilayers, which should help to establish microscopic models for both effects.We report the different composition dependences of SMR and AMR for the Co-Gd / Pt bilayers with in-plane magnetization. The sign of the AMR monotonically changes from positive to negative by increasing the Gd concentration and vanishes near the magnetization compensation composition. On the other hand, the SMR remains finite even when the AMR vanishes, which is a direct proof for different physics. We interpret the composition dependence of the SMR in terms of a spin mixing conductance that, in contrast to the conventional wisdom, depends on the magnet.
Experimental ProcedureThin films were deposited on a thermally oxidized Si substrate using an ultrahigh vacuum compatible magnetron sputtering system with the base pressure below 2 × 10 -7 Pa. First, a 4 nm-thick Cr buffer was deposited on the Si-O substrate. Then Co and Gd were co-deposited to form the Co 100-x Gd x layers with a thickness of 30 nm. Finally, a 4 nm-thick Pt layer was deposited. All the layers were deposited at room temperature. By tuning the sputtering powers of Co and Gd targets, the Gd concentration x (at. %) was widely varied from x = 0 to x = 45. Except for x = 0, i.e. pure cobalt, the Co-Gd layers were amorphous alloys, as confirmed by reflection high energy electron diffraction (RHEED) in Fig. 1(c). In contrast to the amorphous