Spin transfer torque on magnetic insulators

Recent experimental and theoretical studies focus on spin-mediated heat currents at interfaces between normal metals and magnetic insulators. We resolve conflicting estimates for the order of magnitude of the spin transfer torque by first-principles calculations. The spin mixing conductance G ^↑↓ of the interface between silver and the insulating ferrimagnet Yttrium Iron Garnet (YIG) is dominated by its real part and of the order of 10¹⁴ Ω^-1 m^-2, i.e. close to the value for intermetallic interface, which can be explained by a local spin model.