Spin filtering action in a magnetic-nonmagnetic superlattice structure

We propose a spin filter device using a model magnetic-nonmagnetic superlattice structure. The spin-dependent electronic transport has been studied in such a superlattice structure using the transfer matrix method (TMM), and it is shown that such structure is capable of exhibiting a well-defined spin filtering action. Our model superlattice structure is composed of magnetic-nonmagnetic atomic sites placed in an alternating sequence. The magnitude and the direction of the magnetic moments attached to each magnetic atom play an important role in controlling the spin transmission for selective range of energies corresponding to the two spin channels leading to a spin filtering effect in such system. To corroborate the spin filtering action we have also studied the density of states (DOS) corresponding to the two spin channels (components) for our system. Experimental realization of our model can be useful in designing potential nanoscale spin filter devices.