Spin-Dependent Perpendicular Magnetotransport through a Tunable $\mathrm{ZnSe}/{\mathrm{Zn}}_{1-\mathit{x}}{\mathrm{Mn}}_{\mathit{x}}\mathrm{Se}$ Heterostructure: A Possible Spin Filter?

This work addresses spin-dependent magnetotransport in a band-gap-matched $\mathrm{ZnSe}/\mathrm{Zn}{}_{1-x}\mathrm{Mn}{}_x\mathrm{Se}$ heterostructure. In an external magnetic field the paramagnetic layer behaves as a potential well for spin-down electrons and a potential barrier for spin-up ones. My current-density calculation shows a strong suppression of the spin-up component of the current density for increasing magnetic fields; the total current density is dominated by the spin-down component for $B>\mathrm{}2\mathrm{}\mathrm{T}$. This result gives rise to the possibility of devising spin filters relevant for spin-dependent optoelectronics.