Tunable spin transport in CrAs: role of correlation effects

TL;DR

This paper investigates how substrate-induced correlation effects in CrAs can be tuned to control non-quasiparticle states, impacting spintronics applications like tunneling magnetoresistance.

Contribution

It demonstrates the tunability of non-quasiparticle states in CrAs through substrate lattice variations, highlighting potential for switchable spintronic devices.

Findings

Spectral weight of non-quasiparticle states varies with substrate.

InAs substrate enhances non-quasiparticle states; GaAs suppresses them.

Piezoelectric materials could enable practical control of these states.

Abstract

Correlation effects on the electronic structure of half-metallic CrAs in zinc-blende structure are studied for different substrate lattice constants. Depending on the substrate the spectral weight of the non-quasiparticle states might be tuned from a well developed value in the case of InAs substrate to an almost negligible contribution for the GaAs one. A piezoelectric material that would allow the change in the substrate lattice parameters opens the possibility for practical investigations of the switchable (tunable) non-quasiparticle states. Since the latter are important for the tunneling magnetoresistance and related phenomena it creates new opportunities in spintronics.