High spin-filter efficiency in a Co ferrite fabricated by a thermal oxidation

Co ferrites fabricated by a thermal oxidation have been tested as a spin filter. Spin-filter efficiencies of 44% and 4.3% were confirmed at 10 K and RT, respectively, using a magnetic tunnel junction of Pt/CoFe2O4/MgO/Co. By increasing the bias voltage, the tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) at 10 K increases then decreases. This is interpreted as a tunneling via spin-down conduction band in the Co ferrite. Since the electron at RT is attributed to a hopping conduction on the defect states in the Co ferrite, the reduction of the defects will be the key to achieving a higher spin-filter effect.