Very Large Magnetoresistance in Lateral Ferromagnetic (Ga,Mn)As Wires with Nanoconstrictions

Abstract

We have fabricated (Ga,Mn)As nanostructures in which domain walls can be pinned by sub-10 nm constrictions. Controlled by shape anisotropy, we can switch the regions on either side of the constriction to either parallel or antiparallel magnetization. All samples exhibit a positive magnetoresistance, consistent with domain-wall trapping. For metallic samples, we find a magnetoresistance up to 8%, which can be understood from spin accumulation. In samples where, due to depletion at the constriction, a tunnel barrier is formed, we observe a magnetoresistance of up to 2000%.