Effect of spin-flip scattering on current polarization in an organic spin filter

We studied the effect of spin-flip scattering to understand the spin-dependent quantum transport properties through an organic spin filter. We found that the electronic orbitals of the organic polymer are spin-mixed when the spin-flip scattering is included. The Peierls energy gap is reduced due to the spin-flip effect, which is a peculiar property of the organic ferromagnetic polymer. An analysis based on the extended Landauer–Büttiker formula shows that the spin polarization of the current through the spin filter decreases with the spin-flip scattering. However, the device keeps the spin filter function intact even when a considerable spin-flip scattering is included. We also discuss the competing effects of spin-flip scattering and ferromagnetism of the organic interlayer on the spin filter.

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► The electronic orbitals of the organic ferromagnetic polymer are spin-mixed when the spin-flip scattering is included.
► The Peierls energy gap is reduced due to the spin-flip effect.
► Device keeps the spin filter function intact even when a considerable spin-flip scattering is included.
► Discuss the competing effects of spin-flip scattering and ferromagnetism of the organic interlayer on the spin filter.