Non-Local Lateral Spin-Valve Devices Fabricated with a Versatile Top-Down Fabrication Process

We report a method that uses top-down techniques for fabrication of non-local lateral spin-valve devices. Using this process, we demonstrate the fabrication of non-local lateral spin valves with Cu channels and Co nanopillar structures down to 75 nm × 100 nm. This will provide an appealing, cost-effective approach for industrial applications and allow for high control over material interface properties and device design. The nanopillar structures are essential to the scalability of devices, which is required for magnetic read head and logic applications to be competitive with current technologies.