Spin-polarized electron transport of a self-assembled organic monolayer on a Ni(111) substrate: An organic spin switch

Using density functional theory and the Bardeen, Tersoff, and Hamann formalism we have calculated spin-polarized electron transport in a system involving a nonbonded magnetic probe tip and a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of benzene-1,4-dithiol on a Ni(111) substrate. A significantly higher tunneling current is obtained for a configuration in which the spin of the probe tip is aligned parallel to that of the substrate than for a configuration with antiparallel alignment---an effect prerequisite for an organic spin switch.