Spin transistor using magnetic tunnel junctions with half-metallic Co2MnSi Heusler alloy electrodes

We fabricated a spin transistor structure that consisted of two magnetic tunnel junctions with half-metallic Co2MnSi electrodes. Transient responses were observed by applying pulsing gate voltage. Output currents were controlled by both the source-drain and gate voltage and magnetic configuration of the Co2MnSi. The drain current increased around 3000 times at a source-drain voltage of 0.01 V and anti-parallel magnetic configuration, when a gate voltage of 1 V peak-to-peak was applied. In addition, the maximum magnetocurrent ratios were 215% at 6 K. Expected operation properties are observed in our proposed spin transistor. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3645637]