Giant magnetoresistance in a molecular thin film as an intrinsic property

Luca Pilia;Michele Serri;Michio M. Matsushita;Kunio Awaga;Sandrine Heutz;Neil Robertson

2014-01-01

---

Abstract

The magnetic, thin‐film structural, conductivity, and magnetoresistance properties of [Ni(quinoline‐8‐thiolate)2] ([Ni(qt)2]) are studied. The conducting and magnetoresistance properties are studied in single crystals and in evaporated thin films through deposition on an interdigitated electrode array. Non‐linear conductivity interpreted through a space‐charge limited conduction mechanism with charges injected from the electrodes is observed. Under applied magnetic field, the material displays giant negative magnetoresistance above 50% at 2 K in both single crystals and in evaporated thin films. The effect can still be observed at 200 K and is interpreted in terms of a double exchange mechanism with the shape of the curve determined by the magnetic anisotropy. The unique observation of giant magnetoresistance (GMR) as an intrinsic effect in an evaporated thin film of paramagnetic molecules opens up new possibilities in organic spintronics.