Quantum oscillations of tunneling magnetoresistance in magnetic tunnel junctions
Journal
Physical Review B
Journal Volume
71
Journal Issue
21
Pages
214434
Date Issued
2005
Author(s)
Abstract
Taking into account a tunneling current with ballistic and diffusive components, we study the tunneling magnetoresistance (MR) in FM/I/NM/I/FM double tunnel junctions where FM is the ferromagnet, NM the normal metal, and I the insulating barrier. The ballistic component results in oscillations of the MR with a single period, while the diffusive one leads to their decay with thickness of the NM layer. It is shown that the experimental results observed in NiFe Al2O3 Cu Co junctions by Yuasa, Nagahama, and Suzuki [Science 297, 234 (2002)] are intrinsic features, which can be reproduced by the present calculations. © 2005 The American Physical Society.
Type
journal article