title: Determination of interface atomic structure and its impact on spin transport using Z-contrast microscopy and density-functional theory.
abstract: We combine Z-contrast scanning transmission electron microscopy with density-functional-theory calculations to determine the atomic structure of the interface in spin-polarized light-emitting diodes. A 44% increase in spin-injection efficiency occurs after a low-temperature anneal, which produces an ordered, coherent interface consisting of a single atomic plane of alternating Fe and As atoms. First-principles transport calculations indicate that the increase in spin-injection efficiency is due to the abruptness and coherency of the annealed interface.
authors.affiliation: Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC 20375, USA.
authors.forename: Thomas J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Zega
authors.forename: Aubrey T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Hanbicki
authors.forename: Steven C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Erwin
authors.forename: Igor
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Zutić
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kioseoglou
authors.forename: Connie H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Berend T
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Jonker
authors.forename: Rhonda M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Stroud