English

Theory of Transport through Quantum-Dot Spin Valves in the Weak-Coupling Regime

Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics 2009-11-10 v3

Abstract

We develop a theory of electron transport through quantum dots that are weakly coupled to ferromagnetic leads. The theory covers both the linear and nonlinear transport regime, takes non-collinear magnetization of the leads into account, and allows for an externally-applied magnetic field. We derive generalized rate equations for the dot's occupation and accumulated spin and discuss the influence of the dot's spin on the transmission. A negative differential conductance and a nontrivial dependence of the conductance on the angle between the lead magnetizations is predicted.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.cond-mat/0404455,
  title  = {Theory of Transport through Quantum-Dot Spin Valves in the Weak-Coupling Regime},
  author = {Matthias Braun and Jürgen König and Jan Martinek},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:cond-mat/0404455},
  year   = {2009}
}

Comments

14 pages, 13 figures, updated version as published, Journal reference