Effect of inelastic electron–phonon interaction on tunneling magnetoresistance through ferromagnetic–organic molecule–ferromagnetic junction

• Published in: Solid state communications Vol. 151; no. 18; pp. 1236 - 1239
• Main Authors: Ashhadi, M., Ketabi, S.A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01-09-2011; Elsevier
• Subjects: A. Polyacetylene molecule; B. Green’s function method; Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; D. Electron–phonon interaction; D. Tunnel magnetoresistance; Electronic transport in condensed matter; Exact sciences and technology; Physics; Spin polarized transport; A. Polyacetylene molecule; B. Green’s function method; D. Electron–phonon interaction; D. Tunnel magnetoresistance; B. Green's function method; Ferromagnetic materials; Electron-phonon interactions; Sandwich structures; D. Electron-phonon interaction; Inelastic scattering; Tight binding approximation; Tunnelling magnetoresistance; Transport processes; Green's function methods; IV characteristic; Polyacetylenes; Exchange interactions
• ISSN: 0038-1098; 1879-2766
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ssc.2011.05.046

We have studied the effect of inelastic electron–phonon interaction on the spin-dependent transport properties of a molecule, trans-polyacetylene (
trans-PA), as a molecular bridge sandwiched between two ferromagnetic (FM) electrodes. The work is based on a tight-binding Hamiltonian model within the framework of a generalized Green’s function technique and relies on the Landauer–Büttiker formalism as the basis for studying the current–voltage characteristic of this system. We use the wide-band approximation for FM electrodes. It is shown that due to inelastic interactions, the spin currents increase in a finite value of voltage and tunnel magnetoresistance (TMR) decreases compared with TMR obtained in the absence of phonons.
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► We use the NEGF method and the tight-binding Hamiltonian model. ► We investigate the effect of inelastic electron–phonon interactions on TMR. ► We use the wide-band approximation for FM electrodes. ► We find that the electron–phonon interaction leads to reduction of the TMR ratio.