Spin current and current-induced spin transfer torque in ferromagnet–quantum dot–ferromagnet coupled systems

Abstract

Based on Keldysh's nonequilibrium Green function method, the spin-dependent transport properties in a ferromagnet--quantum dot (QD)--ferromagnet coupled system are investigated. It is shown the spin current shows quite different characteristics from its electrical counterpart, and by changing the relative orientation of both magnetizations, it can change its magnitude and even sign. The current-induced spin transfer torque (CISTT) is uncovered to be greatly enhanced when the bias voltage meets with the discrete levels of the QD at resonant positions. The relationship between the CISTT, the electrical current, and the spin current, is also addressed.