Spin density induced by equilibrium spin current in a magnetic field

We propose theoretically to use an external magnetic field to detect the equilibrium spin current which flows in a narrow strip. The spin current is generated by two noncollinear ferromagnets attached to the strip and the applied magnetic field is perpendicular to the plane of the strip. It is demonstrated by using the Keldysh Green's function that the interaction between the spin current and the magnetic field causes an antisymmetrical spin density at the two lateral edges of the strip. The spin density can be directly measured experimentally. Its magnitude and direction can be readily controlled by the magnetizations of the ferromagnets. The proposed scheme offers a new approach to the detection of the pure spin current.