Acoustic spintronics: spin current generation and detection

Acoustic spintronics, an emergent field at the nexus of spintronics and acoustics, harnesses lattice strain and rotation from acoustic waves to manipulate the spin degree of freedom. This makes a departure from conventional spintronics, which typically relies on charge currents to generate spin currents, and enables low-power, non-contact, and long-distance manipulation and transmission of spin information, opening new avenues for advanced spintronic applications. This review systematically surveys recent progress, constructing a comprehensive framework from the magneto-acoustic coupling mechanisms and spin current generation to their electrical detection. We elucidate the physical pictures of various magneto-acoustic coupling mechanisms, clarifying how dynamic strain, lattice rotation, and vorticity fields distinctly mediate spin dynamics. We systematically introduce the methods for generating spin currents in diverse material systems, namely acoustic spin pumping, spin-vorticity coupling, and the acoustic spin Hall effect. Common electrical detection techniques are also summarized, providing the theoretical basis to disentangle complex coexisting signals. Finally, we provide an outlook on future research directions and the potential application landscape of this emerging field.