Evidence for spin selectivity of triplet pairs in superconducting spin valves.

Spin selectivity in a ferromagnet results from a difference in the density of up- and down-spin electrons at the Fermi energy as a consequence of which the scattering rates depend on the spin orientation of the electrons. This property is utilized in spintronics to control the flow of electrons by ferromagnets in a ferromagnet (F1)/normal metal (N)/ferromagnet (F2) spin valve, where F1 acts as the polarizer and F2 the analyser. The feasibility of superconducting spintronics depends on the spin sensitivity of ferromagnets to the spin of the equal spin-triplet Cooper pairs, which arise in superconductor (S)–ferromagnet (F) heterostructures with magnetic inhomogeneity at the S–F interface. Here we report a critical temperature dependence on magnetic configuration in current-in-plane F–S–F spin valves with a holmium spin mixer at the S–F interface providing evidence of a spin selectivity of the ferromagnets to the spin of the triplet Cooper pairs. Ferromagnets are an integral part of spintronics because of their spin selectivity, but in combination with superconductors selectivity between different Cooper pairs is required. Here, the authors find evidence for this selectivity in a ferromagnet–superconductor–ferromagnet spin valve.