Resonant tunneling magnetoresistance in coupled quantum wells

Abstract

A three barrier resonant tunneling structure in which the two quantum wells are formed by a magnetic semiconductor is theoretically investigated. Self-consistent numerical simulations of the structure predict giant magnetocurrent in the resonant bias regime as well as significant current spin polarization for a considerable range of applied biases. The requirements for large magnetocurrent are spin resolved resonance levels as well as asymmetry (spatial or magnetic) of the coupled quantum wells.