Spin, Not Orbital Current, Carries Signal Through Titanium

A study co-authored by Nobel laureate Albert Fert found that long-range signals in titanium are carried by spin current, not orbital angular momentum. The detected signal stayed unchanged for titanium thicknesses from 2 nm to 60 nm, overturning a key assumption of orbitronics.

• Signal identical for 2 nm and 60 nm titanium spacers
• Orbital angular momentum stays confined to the interface
• Spin current propagates through the titanium bulk
• Published October 14 in Physical Review Letters