Department of Physics and Astronomy: Publications and Other Research

Evgeny Tsymbal Publications
ORCID IDs
Tsymbal http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6728-5539
Document Type
Article
Date of this Version
10-31-2013
Citation
Physical Review B (2013) 88: 134430
doi: 10.1103/PhysRevB.88.134430
Abstract
Spin-filter tunneling is a promising way to generate highly spin-polarized current, a key component for spintronics applications. In this paper we explore the tunneling conductance across the spin-filter material CoFe2O4 interfaced with Au electrodes, a geometry which provides nearly perfect lattice matching at the CoFe2O4/Au(001) interface. Using density functional theory calculations we demonstrate that interface states play a decisive role in controlling the transport spin polarization in this tunnel junction. For a realistic CoFe2O4 barrier thickness, we predict a tunneling spin polarization of about −60%. We show that this value is lower than what is expected based solely on considerations of the spin-polarized band structure of CoFe2O4, and therefore that these interface states can play a detrimental role. We argue that this is a rather general feature of ferrimagnetic ferrites and could make an important impact on spin-filter tunneling applications
Comments
Copyright 2013, American Physical Society. Used by permission