Boltzmann approach to coupled spin and heat transport in ferromagnets

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Felix von Oppen, since 10/2016
• Subject Area: Theoretical Condensed Matter Physics
• Term: from 2011 to 2018
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 198246422

The new research field of spin caloritronics bears the potential for interesting applications such as the realization of a spin battery while at the same time it raises many fundamental theoretical questions about the physics of heat, charge and spin currents. Here, we propose to consider spin thermoelectric phenomena in ferromagnetic metals with a particular focus on the contribution of the conduction electrons. We plan to set up a theory for the conduction electron contribution to the spin Seebeck effect including electron-electron interaction as well as inelastic scattering of phonons and magnons. These are interesting mechanisms, because they give rise to spin Coulomb drag as well as phonon and magnon drag. We will also consider systems with intrinsic spin orbit interaction where transverse thermoelectric effects exist such as the spin Nernst effect. In addition to two- and three-dimensional ferromagnets we plan to develop a thorough understanding of the spin-resolved kinetics of quantum wires. We expect unusual spin thermoelectric effects in one dimension due to the dominance of threebody collisions.

• DFG Programme: Priority Programmes
• Subproject of: SPP 1538: Spin Caloric Transport (SpinCaT)
• Ehemalige Antragstellerin: Dr. Tamara Nunner, until 10/2016