Atomic structure of the interface between Fe and AlGaAs and its impact on spin transport

ORAL

Abstract

We combined density-functional theory (DFT) with experimental- and simulated- transmission-electron-microscope (TEM) imaging to determine the atomic structure of the interface between Fe and AlGaAs in light-emitting diodes (LEDs) used to investigate the transport of spin-polarized electrons. We show that a 44{\%} increase in the spin-injection efficiency occurs after a low-temperature anneal, which produces an interface consisting of a single atomic plane of alternating Fe and As atoms. Our results provide the structural information required to develop accurate models of charge transport and spin injection at complex interfaces between dissimilar materials.

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Authors

  • Thomas Zega

  • A.T. Hanbicki

  • Steven Erwin

    Center for Computational Materials Science, Naval Research Lab, Washington DC, Naval Research Laboratory

  • Igor Zutic

    State University of New York at Buffalo

  • George Kioseoglou

  • Connie Li

  • Berend Jonker

    Naval Research Lab, Washington, DC

  • Rhonda Stroud

    Materials Science and Technology Division, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C. 20375