Quantum size effects on spin-transfer torque in a double barrier magnetic tunnel junction with a nonmagnetic-metal (semiconductor) spacer

•The quantum size effects are studied in double barrier magnetic tunnel junctions.•Spin torque (ST) components oscillate for increasing of middle spacer thicknesses.•Due to the resonant tunneling in the quantum well, oscillations have appeared.•By replacement a metal spacer with a semiconductor (ZnO) ST has increased.•The ST components vs. bias show gradually decreasing unlike spin valves or MTJs.

We study the quantum size effects of an MgO-based double barrier magnetic tunnel junction with a nonmagnetic-metal (DBMTJ-NM) (semiconductor (DBMTJ-SC)) spacer on the charge current and the spin-transfer torque (STT) components using non-equilibrium Green's function (NEGF) formalism. The results show oscillatory behavior due to the resonant tunneling effect depending on the structure parameters. We find that the charge current and the STT components in the DBMTJ-SC demonstrate the magnitude enhancement in comparison with the DBMTJ-NM. The bias dependence of the STT components in a DBMTJ-NM shows different behavior in comparison with spin valves and conventional MTJs. Therefore, by choosing a specific SC spacer with suitable thickness in a DBMTJ the charge current and the STT components significantly increase so that one can design a device with high STT and faster magnetization switching.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide