Abstract
We analyze spin-dependent transport through spin valves composed of an interacting quantum dot coupled to two ferromagnetic leads. The spin on the quantum dot and the linear conductance as a function of the relative angle of the leads’ magnetization directions is derived to lowest order in the dot-lead coupling strength. Because of the applied bias voltage spin accumulates on the quantum dot, which for finite charging energy experiences a torque, resulting in spin precession. The latter leads to a nontrivial, interaction-dependent, dependence of the conductance. In particular, we find that the spin-valve effect is reduced for all .
- Received 11 December 2002
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.90.166602
©2003 American Physical Society