Nonlocal electrical detection of reciprocal orbital Edelstein effect

The orbital Edelstein effect and orbital Hall effect, where a charge current induces a nonequilibrium orbital angular momentum, offer a promising method for efficiently manipulating nanomagnets using light elements. Despite extensive research, understanding the Onsager’s reciprocity of orbital transport remains elusive. In this study, we experimentally demonstrate the Onsager’s reciprocity of orbital transport in an orbital Edelstein system by utilizing nonlocal measurements. This method enables the precise identification of the chemical potential generated by orbital accumulation, avoiding the limitations associated with local measurements. We observe that the direct and inverse orbital-charge conversion processes produce identical electric voltages, confirming Onsager’s reciprocity in orbital transport. Additionally, we find that the orbital decay length, approximately 100 nm at room temperature, is independent of the Cu thickness and decreases with decreasing temperature, revealing a distinct contrast to the spin transport behavior. Our findings provide valuable insights into both the reciprocity of the charge-orbital interconversion and the nonlocal correlation of orbital degree of freedom, laying the ground for orbitronics devices with long-range interconnections.