Tunneling magnetoresistance in junctions composed of ferromagnets and time-reversal invariant topological superconductors. (5th February 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yan, Zhongbo; Wan, Shaolong
• Is Part Of: New journal of physics. Volume 18:Number 2(2016:Feb.)
• Publication Date: 2016-02-05
• Subjects: tunneling magnetoresistance -- topological superconductors -- time-reversal symmetry -- spin-rotation symmetry; 85.30.Mn -- 85.75.-d -- 03.65.Vf -- 85.75.Dd; Physics -- Periodicals; Physics; Periodicals; 530.05
• DOI: 10.1088/1367-2630/18/2/023031
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1367-2630

Abstract

Abstract: Tunneling magnetoresistance between two ferrromagnets is an issue of fundamental importance in spintronics. In this work, we show that tunneling magnetoresistance can also emerge in junctions composed of ferromagnets and time-reversal invariant topological superconductors without spin-rotation symmetry. Here the physical origin is that when the spin-polarization direction of an injected electron from the ferromagnet lies in the same plane of the spin-polarization direction of Majorana zero modes, the electron will undergo a perfect spin-equal Andreev reflection, while injected electrons with other spin-polarization directions will be partially Andreev reflected and partially normal reflected, which consequently has a lower conductance, and therefore, the magnetoresistance effect emerges. Compared to conventional magnetic tunnel junctions, an unprecedented advantage of the junctions studied here is that arbitrary high tunneling magnetoresistance can be obtained even when the magnetization of the ferromagnets are weak and the insulating tunneling barriers are featureless. Our findings provide a new fascinating mechanism to obtain high tunneling magnetoresistance.