Spin-pumping-enhanced magnetic damping in ultrathin Cu(0 0 1)/Co/Cu and Cu(0 0 1)/Ni/Cu films

The influence of the Cu capping layer thickness on the spin pumping effect in ultrathin epitaxial Co and Ni films on Cu(0 0 1) was investigated by in situ ultrahigh vacuum ferromagnetic resonance. A pronounced increase in the linewidth is observed at the onset of spin pumping for capping layer thicknesses dCu larger than 5 ML, saturating at dCu = 20 ML for both systems. The spin mixing conductance for Co/Cu and Ni/Cu interfaces was evaluated.