Anisotropic spin transport and photoresponse characteristics detected by tip movement in magnetic single-molecule junction

Abstract

Orientation-dependent transport properties induced by anisotropic molecules are enticing in single-molecule junctions. Here, using the first-principles method, we theoretically investigate spin transport properties and photoresponse characteristics in trimesic acid magnetic single-molecule junctions with different molecular adsorption orientations and electrode contact sites. The transport calculations indicate that a single-molecule switch and a significant enhancement of spin transport and photoresponse can be achieved when the molecular adsorption orientation changes from planar geometry to upright geometry. The maximum spin polarization of current and photocurrent in upright molecular junctions exceeds 90%. Moreover, as the Ni tip electrode moves, the tunneling magnetoresistance of upright molecular junctions can be increased to 70%. The analysis of the spin-dependent PDOS elucidates that the spinterfaces between organic molecule and ferromagnetic electrodes are modulated by molecular adsorption orientation, where the molecule in upright molecular junctions yields higher spin polarization. Our theoretical work paves the way for designing spintronic devices and optoelectronic devices with anisotropic functionality base on anisotropic molecules.