Abstract
By combining experiments with simple model calculations, we obtain new insight in spin transport through hybrid, spin valves. We have measured the characteristic changes in the behavior as well as the intrinsic loss of magnetoresistance at the onset of multiple-step tunneling. In the regime of multiple-step tunneling, under the condition of low hopping rates, spin precession in the presence of hyperfine coupling is conjectured to be the relevant source of spin relaxation. A quantitative analysis leads to the prediction of a symmetric magnetoresistance around zero magnetic field in addition to the hysteretic magnetoresistance curves, which are indeed observed in our experiments.
- Received 28 April 2009
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.103.146601
©2009 American Physical Society