Josephson Junctions with a CoGd Compensated Ferrimagnet Barrier
ORAL
Abstract
We have studied the rare earth-transition metal ferrimagnet Co1-xGdx as the barrier in ferromagnetic Josephson junctions. At a particular thickness, the Co and Gd moments cancel leading to a zero-moment compensation point [1]. Due to differing participation of Co and Gd, the transport current is spin-polarized even at the compensation point [2]. This suggests that CoGd could be used for applications in spintronics and superconducting electronics requiring low magnetic moment but spin-polarized current. One potential application is in the development of a π Josephson junction with low moment and stray field. We present SQUID VSM data characterizing the compensation point in thin films at cryogenic temperatures. We also show transport data over a range of CoGd thicknesses that indicate the presence of a 0 - π transition at 1.2 nm.
[1] Hansen et al., J. App. Phys. 66, 756 (1989);
[2] Naylor et al., Phys. Rev. B 85, 064410 (2012)
[1] Hansen et al., J. App. Phys. 66, 756 (1989);
[2] Naylor et al., Phys. Rev. B 85, 064410 (2012)
*This research is based upon work supported by the ODNI, IARPA, via ARO contract number W911NF-14-C-0115. The views and conclusions contained herein are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as necessarily representing the official policies or endorsements, either expressed or implied, of the ODNI, IARPA, or the U.S. Government.
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Presenters
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Alexander E Madden
- Michigan State University