Abstract
By means of ab initio calculations and spin-polarized scanning tunneling microscopy experiments the creation of a complex energy dependent magnetic structure with a tailored spin-polarized interface is demonstrated. We show this novel effect by adsorbing organic molecules containing electrons onto a magnetic surface. The hybridization of the out-of-plane atomic-type orbitals with the states of the metal leads to the inversion of the spin polarization at the organic site due to a Zener exchange-type mechanism. As a key result, we demonstrate the possibility to selectively and efficiently inject spin-up and spin-down electrons from a ferromagnetic-organic interface, an effect which can be exploited in future spintronic devices.
- Received 5 May 2010
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.105.066601
© 2010 The American Physical Society
Synopsis
Organic spin filters
Published 30 August 2010
The spin polarization in certain organic molecules adsorbed on a magnetic surface depends on how strongly the molecules are bound—a property that could be tailored toward making organic spintronics devices.
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