Vanadium tetracyanoethylene, V(TCNE) x , is an organic-based magnet with properties suitable for spintronics applications, e.g. spin valves. In this paper we propose a new hybrid organic spin valve design where V(TCNE) x is used as a spin-transporting and spin-filtering layer sandwiched between two ferromagnetic (FM) metal contacts, i.e. FM/V(TCNE) x /FM.As the spin injection and detection of such a device occurs at the interfaces the quality of those are of crucial importance. Therefore, the Ni/V(TCNE) x interface has been investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and near edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy (NEXAFS) as well as compared with XPS results from a model system, Ni/TCNE. Ni chemically interact with both the vinyl and cyano groups but there is no evidence for significant diffusion of Ni into the V(TCNE) x film. As the chemical interaction affects the spin injection and detection negatively by modifying the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) and destroying the magnetic ordering network at the surface, these results indicate that there is need for a buffer layer between V(TCNE) x and Ni, and in extension most likely between V(TCNE) x and any FM contact.
Keywords:Organic-based molecular magnets, spintronics, interfaces, photoelectron spectroscopy, magnetic semiconductors 2
IntroductionSpintronics is an emerging technique which exploits the spin state of the electron as well as its charge state when it is used as information carrier. The field has made major impact on today's life by improving hard drive information storage. Advantages of spintronics include cheaper production, faster data processing speeds, non-volatility and lower power consumption [1]. To date the most successful spintronic device is the spin valve. The principle of such a device is to sandwich a non-magnetic or semiconducting layer between two ferromagnetic (FM) contacts which act as spin injector and spin detector, respectively.The spin injector material has fixed magnetization while the magnetization of the spin detector material can be tuned by an external magnetic field. Hence, the magnetization of a spin valve can be altered giving high or low resistance, simulating a bit, "1" or "0" [2].Organic-based magnets belong to the new field of organic spintronics [3] and offer advantages such as tunability of the properties via molecular design, conductivity ranging from semiconducting to insulating, low weight, low-temperature processing etc.[4], all of which make them interesting candidates for inclusion in e.g. spin valves. Vanadium tetracyanoethylene, V(TCNE) x , x~2, is one of very few room temperature organic-based magnets [5]. It is however extremely air sensitive, but recently we have reported on a new preparation method leading to improved air stability [6], which should make device fabrication less complex.The highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) of V(TCNE) x is mainly localized on V(3d) and characterized by strong hybridization between V(3d) and TCNE - [7,8], while the lowest unoccupied molecu...