Theory of Electronic, Magnetic and Transport Properties of Nanoscale Magnetic Junctions

University Of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln NE

Investigators

Abstract

This theoretical project explores the fundamental physics of electronic, magnetic and Transport properties of nanoscale magnetic junctions. The major emphasis is on spin- Polarized electronic transport in the nanojunctions, in which a small amount of various Metallic, semiconducting or insulating materials is placed as a contact between two Ferromagnetic nanowires. First-principles density functional calculations will be Performed to predict electronic, magnetic and transport chacteristics of these Nanojunctions. Micromagnetic modeling will be used to understand the magnetic Structure of nanocontacts and tight-binding models will be developed to tread disordered Systems and to explore the influence of localized states on magnetotransport in magnetic Tunnel junctions. These theoretical studies will guide experimental investigations of the Nanoscale junction fabricated by state-of-the-art nanofabrication techniques and will Complement the established experimental program at Nebraska. The research will Facilitate the development of novel magnetoelectronic devices, which merge spin degrees Of freedom into electronic nanotechnologies. %%% This theoretical project explores the fundamental physics of electronic, magnetic and Transport properties of nanoscale magnetic junctions. The major emphasis is on spin- Polarized electronic transport in the nanojunctions. These theoretical studies will guide Experimental investigations of the nanoscale junction fabricated by state-of-the-art Nanofabrication techniques and will complement the established experimental program at Nebraska. ***