Spin-Dependent Transport of Electrons in a Shuttle Structure

TL;DR

This paper investigates how the transport of spin-polarized electrons in a shuttle structure can be significantly controlled by external magnetic fields, leading to a giant magnetotransmittance effect in a nanoscale device.

Contribution

It introduces a model for spin-dependent electron shuttling between magnetic electrodes and demonstrates a large magnetotransmittance effect induced by weak magnetic fields.

Findings

Transmittance can change by orders of magnitude with external magnetic field.

Giant magnetotransmittance effect achieved at fields of 1-10 Oe.

Potential for highly sensitive spintronic devices.

Abstract

We consider "shuttling" of spin-polarized electrons between two magnetic electrodes (half-metals) by a movable dot with a single electronic level. If the magnetization of the electrodes is antiparallel we show that the transmittance of the system can be changed by orders of magnitude if an external magnetic field, perpendicular to the polarization of the electronic spins, is applied. A giant magnetotransmittance effect can be achieved for weak external fields of order $1\div 10$ Oe.