Spin-scattering asymmetry at half-metallic ferromagnet/ferromagnet interface

TL;DR

This study demonstrates significant spin-scattering asymmetry at a half-metallic ferromagnet/ferromagnet interface, affecting magnetoresistance in epitaxial CPP-GMR devices at room temperature.

Contribution

It provides the first direct evidence of large spin-scattering asymmetry at a half-metallic FM/FM interface and its influence on CPP-GMR performance at room temperature.

Findings

Strong spin-dependent conductance at CFMS/CoFe interface

Enhanced MR output in epitaxial CPP-GMR devices at RT

Qualitative agreement with a two-current series-resistor model

Abstract

We study spin-scattering asymmetry at the interface of two ferromagnets (FMs) based on a half-metallic Co$_{2}$Fe$_{0.4}$Mn$_{0.6}$Si (CFMS)/CoFe interface. First-principles ballistic transport calculations based on Landauer formula for (001)-CoFe/CFMS/CoFe indicate strong spin-dependent conductance at the CFMS/CoFe interface, suggesting a large interface spin-scattering asymmetry coefficient ($\gamma$). Fully epitaxial current-perpendicular-to-plane giant magnetoresistance (CPP-GMR) pseudo-spin-valve (PSV) devices involving CoFe/CFMS/Ag/CFMS/CoFe structures exhibit an enhancement in MR output owing to the formation of the CFMS/CoFe interface at room temperature (RT). This is well reproduced qualitatively by a simulation based on a generalized two-current series-resistor model with considering the presence of $\gamma$ at the CFMS/CoFe interface, half-metallicity of CFMS, and combinations of terminated atoms at the interfaces in the CPP-GMR PSV structure. We show direct evidence for a large $\gamma$ at a half-metallic FM/FM interface and its impact on CPP-GMR effect even at RT.