Spin-polarized tunneling between an antiferromagnet and a ferromagnet: First-principles calculations and transport theory

By combining first-principles calculations with transport theory we investigate the origin of the magnetoresistance of a magnetic tunnel junction consisting of a ferromagnetic and an antiferromagnetic lead. The (001) oriented Fe/vacuum/Cr planar junction serves as model junction. Even though the conduction electrons of antiferromagnetic Cr are spin-degenerate, it is possible to observe magnetoresistance due to two mechanisms: Firstly, the surface magnetism of Cr creates a spin-dependent potential barrier, and secondly, exchange-split surface states and resonances result in a tunneling conductance which depends on the relative orientation of the Fe and Cr magnetizations. Spin-dependent tunneling between a ferromagnet and an antiferromagnet happens frequently in tunneling setups such as in spin-polarized scanning tunneling microscopy or magnetic tunnel junctions for magnetic random access memory.