Magnetocapacitance: A probe of spin-dependent potentials

TL;DR

This paper investigates how magnetic fields influence the capacitance of Pd-AlOx-Al structures, revealing a quadratic dependence linked to spin-dependent electrochemical potentials and Zeeman splitting effects.

Contribution

It introduces a theoretical model connecting magnetic field effects on capacitance to spin-dependent potentials in paramagnetic Pd surfaces.

Findings

Capacitance varies quadratically with magnetic field.

The model aligns with experimental measurements.

Spin-dependent electrochemical potentials influence electron screening.

Abstract

The magnetic field dependence of the capacitance of Pd-AlOx-Al thin-film structures has been measured. The observed quadratic dependence of capacitance on magnetic field is consistent with a theoretical model that includes the effect of a spin-dependent electrochemical potential on electron screening in the paramagnetic Pd. This spin-dependent electrochemical potential is related to the Zeeman splitting of the narrow d-bands in Pd. The quantitative details depend on the electronic band structure at the surface of Pd.