Interaction-Driven Spin Precession in Quantum-Dot Spin Valves

Jürgen König and Jan Martinek
Phys. Rev. Lett. 90, 166602 – Published 25 April 2003

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 θ 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, θ dependence of the conductance. In particular, we find that the spin-valve effect is reduced for all θπ.

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  • Received 11 December 2002

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.90.166602

©2003 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Jürgen König1 and Jan Martinek1,2

  • 1Institut für Theoretische Festkörperphysik, Universität Karlsruhe, 76128 Karlsruhe, Germany
  • 2Institute of Molecular Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, 60-179 Poznań, Poland

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Issue

Vol. 90, Iss. 16 — 25 April 2003

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