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Theoretical Study on Tunnel Magnetoresistance Oscillation Due to Coulomb Blockade in Nanoscale Magnetic Tunnel Junction

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 February 2011

Yasushi Takemura
Affiliation:
Yokohama National University, 79–5 Tokiwadai, Hodogaya, Yokohama 240-8501, Japan
Jun-ichi Shirakashi
Affiliation:
Akita Prefectural University, 84–4 Ebinokuchi, Tsuchiya, Honjo, Akita 015-0055, Japan
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Abstract

In a small magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) whose charging energy is larger than a thermal energy, the tunnel magnetoresistance (TMR) is enhanced by the Coulomb blockade. Transport properties in a double MTJ were theoretically studied by using the Monte Carlo method. The temperature dependence of current-voltage and TMR characteristics indicated that a small junction with 5 nm electrodes exhibited the Coulomb blockade at 300 K. It was also found that the background charge changed the threshold voltage of the Coulomb blockade. In asymmetric double tunnel junctions, the current-voltage characteristic exhibited a Coulomb staircase and the voltage dependence of the TMR ratio oscillated.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2003

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