Spin-excited states in an asymmetric magnetic organic co-oligomer diode are investigated theoretically. The results demonstrate that the structural asymmetry of the co-oligomer is modulated by the spin-excited states, which is embodied in the wave functions of the eigenstates as well as the spin density wave. By calculating the transport property, a robust spin-current rectification concomitant with a charge-current rectification is observed in all spin-excited states. However, the current through the diode is suppressed distinctly by the spin-excited states, while the rectification ratios may be reduced or enhanced depending on the bias and the excited spins. The intrinsic mechanism is analyzed from the spin-dependent trans- mission combined with the change of molecular eigenstates under bias. Finally, the temperature-induced spin excitation is simulated. Significant rectification behavior is obtained even at room temperature.
The effect of lattice dimerization on the magnetoresistance (MR) in organic spin valves is investigated based on the Su-Schrieffer-Heeger (SSH) model and the Green's function method. By comparing with the results for a uniform chain, we find that the dimerization of the molecular chain modifies the monotonic dependence of the MR on the bias to an oscillatory one. A sign inversion of the MR is observed when the amplitude of the dimerization is adjusted. The results also show that at a low bias, the MR through a dimerized chain decreases with the increasing bias as well as the increasing chain length, which is consistent with the experimental reports. A further understanding can be achieved by analyzing the electronic states and the spin-dependent transmission spectrum with the parallel and antiparallel magnetization orientations of the two ferromagnetic electrodes.
The rectification behaviours in organic magnetic/nonmagnetic co-oligomer spin rectifiers are investigated theoretically. It is found that both the charge current and the spin current through the device are rectified at the same time. By adjusting the proportion between the magnetic and nonmagnetic components, the threshold voltage and the rectification ratio of the rectifier are modulated. A large rectification ratio is obtained when the two components are equal in length. The intrinsic mechanism is analysed in terms of the asymmetric localization of molecular orbitals under biases. The effect of molecular length on the rectification is also discussed. These results will be helpful in the future design of organic spin diodes.