Cotunneling enhancement of magnetoresistance in double magnetic tunnel junctions with embedded superparamagnetic NiFe nanoparticles

Journal Article · Mon Dec 13 04:00:00 EST 2010 · Physical Review. B. Condensed Matter and Materials Physics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.82.214415· OSTI ID:1020877

Dempsey, K J; Arena, D; Hindmarch, A T; Wei, H X; Wang, W X; p Vallejo-Fernandez, G; Han, X F; Marrows, C H

Temperature and bias voltage-dependent transport characteristics are presented for double magnetic tunnel junctions (DMTJs) with self-assembled NiFe nanoparticles embedded between insulating alumina barriers. The junctions with embedded nanoparticles are compared to junctions with a single barrier of comparable size and growth conditions. The embedded particles are characterized using x-ray absorption spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and magnetometry techniques, showing that they are unoxidized and remain superparamagnetic to liquid helium temperatures. The tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) for the DMTJs is lower than the control samples, however, for the DMTJs an enhancement in TMR is seen in the Coulomb blockade region. Fitting the transport data in this region supports the theory that cotunneling is the dominant electron transport process within the Coulomb blockade region, sequential tunneling being suppressed. We therefore see an enhanced TMR attributed to the change in the tunneling process due to the interplay of the Coulomb blockade and spin-dependent tunneling through superparamagnetic nanoparticles, and develop a simple model to quantify the effect, based on the fact that our nanoparticles will appear blocked when measured on femtosecond tunneling time scales.

• Research Organization: BROOKHAVEN NATIONAL LABORATORY (BNL)
• Sponsoring Organization: DOE - OFFICE OF SCIENCE
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-98CH10886
• OSTI ID: 1020877
• Report Number(s): BNL--94716-2011-JA; KC0401030
• Journal Information: Physical Review. B. Condensed Matter and Materials Physics, Journal Name: Physical Review. B. Condensed Matter and Materials Physics Journal Issue: 21 Vol. 82; ISSN 1098-0121
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS
SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND SUPERFLUIDITY
ABSORPTION SPECTROSCOPY
ELECTRONS
HELIUM
MAGNETORESISTANCE
TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
TRANSPORT
TUNNELING