Babu Ram Sankhi , Erwan Peigney , Hayden Brown , Pius Suh , Carlos Rojas-Dotti , José Martínez-Lillo , Pawan Tyagi
{"title":"连接隧道结的铁锰反铁磁体和镍铁铁磁电极的单分子磁体 (SMM) 自旋通道","authors":"Babu Ram Sankhi , Erwan Peigney , Hayden Brown , Pius Suh , Carlos Rojas-Dotti , José Martínez-Lillo , Pawan Tyagi","doi":"10.1016/j.jmmm.2024.172608","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The integration of single-molecule magnets (SMMs) into magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) offers significant potential for advancing molecular spintronics, particularly for next-generation memory devices, quantum computing, and energy storage technologies such as solar cells. In this study, we present the first demonstration of SMM-induced spin-dependent properties in an antiferromagnet-based MTJ molecular spintronic device (MTJMSD). We engineered cross-junction-shaped devices comprising FeMn/AlO<sub>x</sub>/NiFe MTJs. The AlO<sub>x</sub> barrier thickness where the exposed junction edges meet was comparable to the SMM length, facilitating the incorporation of SMM molecules as spin channels for spin-dependent transport. The SMM channels enabled long-range magnetic moment ordering around molecular junctions, which were precisely engineered via fabrication processes. The SMM, composed of a [Mn<sub>6</sub>(μ<sub>3</sub>-O)<sub>2</sub>(H<sub>2</sub>N-sao)<sub>6</sub>(6-atha)<sub>2</sub>(EtOH)<sub>6</sub>] (H<sub>2</sub>N-saoH = salicylamidoxime, 6-atha = 6-acetylthiohexanoate) complex, featured thioester groups at the ends that upon hydrolysis they form bonds with the magnetic electrodes. SMM-treated junctions demonstrated a significant current enhancement, reaching up to 7 μA at an input voltage of 60 mV. Furthermore, SMM-doped junctions exhibited current stabilization in the μA range at lower temperatures, whereas the bare electrodes showed current suppression to the picoampere range. Magnetization measurements conducted at 55 K and 300 K on pillar-shaped devices revealed a reduction in magnetic moment at low temperatures. Additionally, Kelvin probe atomic force microscopy (KPAFM) measurements confirmed that SMM integration transformed the electronic properties over long ranges.These findings are attributed to the spin channels formed between magnetic metal electrodes, which enhance spin polarization at each magnetic electrode. Our research highlights the potential of using antiferromagnetic materials, characterized by minimal stray fields and zero net magnetization, to transform MTJMSD devices.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":366,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials","volume":"611 ","pages":"Article 172608"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5000,"publicationDate":"2024-10-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":"{\"title\":\"Single-molecule Magnets (SMM) spin channels connecting FeMn antiferromagnet and NiFe ferromagnetic electrodes of a tunnel junction\",\"authors\":\"Babu Ram Sankhi , Erwan Peigney , Hayden Brown , Pius Suh , Carlos Rojas-Dotti , José Martínez-Lillo , Pawan Tyagi\",\"doi\":\"10.1016/j.jmmm.2024.172608\",\"DOIUrl\":null,\"url\":null,\"abstract\":\"<div><div>The integration of single-molecule magnets (SMMs) into magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) offers significant potential for advancing molecular spintronics, particularly for next-generation memory devices, quantum computing, and energy storage technologies such as solar cells. In this study, we present the first demonstration of SMM-induced spin-dependent properties in an antiferromagnet-based MTJ molecular spintronic device (MTJMSD). We engineered cross-junction-shaped devices comprising FeMn/AlO<sub>x</sub>/NiFe MTJs. The AlO<sub>x</sub> barrier thickness where the exposed junction edges meet was comparable to the SMM length, facilitating the incorporation of SMM molecules as spin channels for spin-dependent transport. The SMM channels enabled long-range magnetic moment ordering around molecular junctions, which were precisely engineered via fabrication processes. The SMM, composed of a [Mn<sub>6</sub>(μ<sub>3</sub>-O)<sub>2</sub>(H<sub>2</sub>N-sao)<sub>6</sub>(6-atha)<sub>2</sub>(EtOH)<sub>6</sub>] (H<sub>2</sub>N-saoH = salicylamidoxime, 6-atha = 6-acetylthiohexanoate) complex, featured thioester groups at the ends that upon hydrolysis they form bonds with the magnetic electrodes. SMM-treated junctions demonstrated a significant current enhancement, reaching up to 7 μA at an input voltage of 60 mV. Furthermore, SMM-doped junctions exhibited current stabilization in the μA range at lower temperatures, whereas the bare electrodes showed current suppression to the picoampere range. Magnetization measurements conducted at 55 K and 300 K on pillar-shaped devices revealed a reduction in magnetic moment at low temperatures. Additionally, Kelvin probe atomic force microscopy (KPAFM) measurements confirmed that SMM integration transformed the electronic properties over long ranges.These findings are attributed to the spin channels formed between magnetic metal electrodes, which enhance spin polarization at each magnetic electrode. Our research highlights the potential of using antiferromagnetic materials, characterized by minimal stray fields and zero net magnetization, to transform MTJMSD devices.</div></div>\",\"PeriodicalId\":366,\"journal\":{\"name\":\"Journal of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials\",\"volume\":\"611 \",\"pages\":\"Article 172608\"},\"PeriodicalIF\":2.5000,\"publicationDate\":\"2024-10-24\",\"publicationTypes\":\"Journal Article\",\"fieldsOfStudy\":null,\"isOpenAccess\":false,\"openAccessPdf\":\"\",\"citationCount\":\"0\",\"resultStr\":null,\"platform\":\"Semanticscholar\",\"paperid\":null,\"PeriodicalName\":\"Journal of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials\",\"FirstCategoryId\":\"88\",\"ListUrlMain\":\"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0304885324008990\",\"RegionNum\":3,\"RegionCategory\":\"材料科学\",\"ArticlePicture\":[],\"TitleCN\":null,\"AbstractTextCN\":null,\"PMCID\":null,\"EPubDate\":\"\",\"PubModel\":\"\",\"JCR\":\"Q3\",\"JCRName\":\"MATERIALS SCIENCE, MULTIDISCIPLINARY\",\"Score\":null,\"Total\":0}","platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Journal of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials","FirstCategoryId":"88","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0304885324008990","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q3","JCRName":"MATERIALS SCIENCE, MULTIDISCIPLINARY","Score":null,"Total":0}
Single-molecule Magnets (SMM) spin channels connecting FeMn antiferromagnet and NiFe ferromagnetic electrodes of a tunnel junction
The integration of single-molecule magnets (SMMs) into magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) offers significant potential for advancing molecular spintronics, particularly for next-generation memory devices, quantum computing, and energy storage technologies such as solar cells. In this study, we present the first demonstration of SMM-induced spin-dependent properties in an antiferromagnet-based MTJ molecular spintronic device (MTJMSD). We engineered cross-junction-shaped devices comprising FeMn/AlOx/NiFe MTJs. The AlOx barrier thickness where the exposed junction edges meet was comparable to the SMM length, facilitating the incorporation of SMM molecules as spin channels for spin-dependent transport. The SMM channels enabled long-range magnetic moment ordering around molecular junctions, which were precisely engineered via fabrication processes. The SMM, composed of a [Mn6(μ3-O)2(H2N-sao)6(6-atha)2(EtOH)6] (H2N-saoH = salicylamidoxime, 6-atha = 6-acetylthiohexanoate) complex, featured thioester groups at the ends that upon hydrolysis they form bonds with the magnetic electrodes. SMM-treated junctions demonstrated a significant current enhancement, reaching up to 7 μA at an input voltage of 60 mV. Furthermore, SMM-doped junctions exhibited current stabilization in the μA range at lower temperatures, whereas the bare electrodes showed current suppression to the picoampere range. Magnetization measurements conducted at 55 K and 300 K on pillar-shaped devices revealed a reduction in magnetic moment at low temperatures. Additionally, Kelvin probe atomic force microscopy (KPAFM) measurements confirmed that SMM integration transformed the electronic properties over long ranges.These findings are attributed to the spin channels formed between magnetic metal electrodes, which enhance spin polarization at each magnetic electrode. Our research highlights the potential of using antiferromagnetic materials, characterized by minimal stray fields and zero net magnetization, to transform MTJMSD devices.
期刊介绍:
The Journal of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials provides an important forum for the disclosure and discussion of original contributions covering the whole spectrum of topics, from basic magnetism to the technology and applications of magnetic materials. The journal encourages greater interaction between the basic and applied sub-disciplines of magnetism with comprehensive review articles, in addition to full-length contributions. In addition, other categories of contributions are welcome, including Critical Focused issues, Current Perspectives and Outreach to the General Public.
Main Categories:
Full-length articles:
Technically original research documents that report results of value to the communities that comprise the journal audience. The link between chemical, structural and microstructural properties on the one hand and magnetic properties on the other hand are encouraged.
In addition to general topics covering all areas of magnetism and magnetic materials, the full-length articles also include three sub-sections, focusing on Nanomagnetism, Spintronics and Applications.
The sub-section on Nanomagnetism contains articles on magnetic nanoparticles, nanowires, thin films, 2D materials and other nanoscale magnetic materials and their applications.
The sub-section on Spintronics contains articles on magnetoresistance, magnetoimpedance, magneto-optical phenomena, Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS), and other topics related to spin current control and magneto-transport phenomena. The sub-section on Applications display papers that focus on applications of magnetic materials. The applications need to show a connection to magnetism.
Review articles:
Review articles organize, clarify, and summarize existing major works in the areas covered by the Journal and provide comprehensive citations to the full spectrum of relevant literature.