Reversible Spin Splitting Effect in Altermagnetic RuO2 Thin Films

Abstract

Spin-dependent anisotropic Fermi surfaces in altermagnets can give rise to nonrelativistic spin-charge conversion, known as the altermagnetic spin splitting effect (ASSE). While several studies have reported the inverse ASSE (IASSE) in altermagnetic RuO2 thin films, its magnitude and sign relative to the spin Hall effect (SHE) remain controversial. Here, we demonstrate reversible IASSE in RuO2 thin films by controlling the Neel vector orientation and accounting for the anisotropic transport characteristic. Spin Seebeck measurements in CoFeB/RuO2 heterostructures reveal polarity reversal of the IASSE-induced spin charge conversion (SCC) upon Neel vector switching. This indicates that IASSE can either enhance or suppress SCC depending on the Neel orientation. These results provide compelling evidence for the symmetry-governed and directionally reversible nature of IASSE in RuO2.