  The spin absorption process in a ferromagnetic material depends on the spin
orientation relativelyto the magnetization. Using a ferromagnet to absorb the
pure spin current created within a lateralspin-valve, we evidence and quantify
a sizeable orientation dependence of the spin absorption inCo, CoFe and NiFe.
These experiments allow determining the spin-mixing conductance, an elusivebut
fundamental parameter of the spin-dependent transport. We show that the
obtained valuescannot be understood within a model considering only the Larmor,
transverse decoherence and spindiffusion lengths, and rather suggest that the
spin-mixing conductance is actually limited by theSharvin conductance.
