Tunnel magnetoresistance of polymeric chains

Abstract

Coherent spin-dependent electronic transport is investigated in a molecular junction made of polymeric chain attached to ferromagnetic electrodes (Ni and Co, respectively). Molecular system is described by a simple Huckel model, while the coupling to the electrodes is treated through the use of a broad-band theory. The current flowing through the device is calculated within non-equilibrium Green's function approach. It is shown that tunnel magnetoresistance of molecular junction can be quite large (over 100 %)and strongly depends on: (i) the lenght of the polymeric chain and (ii) the strength of the molecule-to-electrodes coupling.