Thermal transport due to quantum interference in magnetic tunnel junctions

TL;DR

This paper investigates how quantum interference affects thermal transport in magnetic tunnel junctions, revealing thermoelectric effects and a wide range of Seebeck coefficients influenced by barrier transparency.

Contribution

It demonstrates the impact of quantum interference on thermal and thermoelectric properties in magnetic tunnel junctions, highlighting the dependence on barrier transparency.

Findings

Thermal gradients occur around Fowler-Nordheim tunneling regime due to quantum interference.

Thermovoltage and temperature follow linear response with current, indicating thermoelectric effects.

Seebeck coefficient varies from 10 to 1000 μV/K depending on barrier transparency.

Abstract

We study the thermal transport in magnetic tunnel junctions. Thermal gradients across the tunneling barrier appear around the Fowler-Nordheim tunneling regime, due to the current-induced heat caused by quantum interference. Both thermovoltage and thermal temperature follow a linear response with the applied current, which is an evidence for a thermoelectric effect. By increasing the barrier transparency, the dynamics of thermoelectric properties is observed with the current. Accordingly, a large range of the Seebeck coefficient, 10 - 1000 {\mu}V/K, has been obtained in magnetic tunnel junctions.