Size Dependence of Current Spin Polarization Through Superconductor/Ferromagnet Nanocontacts

The spin polarization P of the transport current through the interface between superconducting Al and ferromagnetic Fe is determined by means of Andreev reflection at nanostructured point contacts. We observe a systematic decrease of P with decreasing contact resistance. Our data provide evidence for the reduction of P by spin-orbit scattering and thus establish a link between density-of-states and transport spin polarizations.