The spin-dependent electronic transport properties of M(dcdmp)2 (M = Cu,Au, Co,Ni) molecular devices based on zigzag graphene nanoribbon electrodes

The spin-dependent electronic transport properties of M(dcdmp)₂ (M = Cu, Au, Co, Ni; dcdmp = 2,3-dicyano-5,6-dimercaptopyrazyne) molecular devices based on zigzag graphene nanoribbon (ZGNR) electrodes were investigated by density functional theory combined nonequilibrium Green's function method (DFT-NEGF). Our results show that the spin-dependent transport properties of the M(dcdmp)₂ molecular devices can be controlled by the spin configurations of the ZGNR electrodes, and the central 3d-transition metal atom can introduce a larger magnetism than that of the nonferrous metal one. Moreover, the perfect spin filtering effect, negative differential resistance, rectifying effect and magnetic resistance phenomena can be observed in our proposed M(dcdmp)₂ molecular devices.     

Spin-polarized transport in a normal/ferromagnetic/normal zigzag graphene nanoribbon junction

We investigate the spin-dependent electron transport in single and double normal/ferromagnetic/normal zigzag graphene nanoribbon (NG/FG/NG) junctions. The ferromagnetism in the FG region originates from the spontaneous magnetization of the zigzag graphene nanoribbon. It is shown that when the zigzag-chain number of the ribbon is even and only a single transverse mode is actived, the single NG/FG/NG junction can act as a spin polarizer and/or a spin analyzer because of the valley selection rule and the spin-exchange field in the FG, while the double NG/FG/NG/FG/NG junction exhibits a quantum switching effect, in which the on and the off states switch rapidly by varying the cross angle between two FG magnetizations. Our findings may shed light on the application of magnetized graphene nanoribbons to spintronics devices.     

Negative Differential Resistance and Rectifying Effects of Diblock Co-Oligomer Molecule Devices Sandwiched between C_2N-h2D Electrodes

Based on nonequilibrium Green's function method in combination with density functional theory, we study the electronic transport properties of dipyrimidinyl-diphenyl molecules embedded in a carbon atomic chain sandwiched between zigzag graphene nanoribbon and different edge geometries C_2N-h2D electrodes. Compared with the graphene electrodes, the C_2N-h2D electrode can cause rectifying and negative differential resistance effects.For C_2N-h2D with zigzag edges, a more remarkable negative differential resistance phenomenon appears, whereas armchair-edged C_2N-h2D can give rise to much better rectifying behavior. These results suggest that this system can be potentially useful for designs of logic and memory devices.     

Engineering of carbon-based superlight spin filter with negative differential resistance

Based on density functional theory and non-equilibrium Green's function, we investigate the edge hydrogenation and oxidation effects on the spin transport of devices consisting of a zigzag C₂N nanoribbon (ZC₂NNR) embedded in zigzag graphene nanoribbons in parallel (P) and antiparallel (AP) spin configurations. The results show that device with edge hydrogenation exhibits dual spin filtering effect in AP spin configuration and obvious negative differential resistance in both P and AP spin configuration. By substituting oxygen for hydrogen as passivation atoms of ZC₂NNR, the spin filtering efficiency is as high as 100% in the P spin configuration, and the negative differential resistance is largely enhanced with a peak to valley ratio in excess of 4×10³. Our theoretical studies suggest that zigzag C₂N nanoribbon modulated by edge substitution has great potential in the design of future multifunctional spin devices.     

基于石墨烯电极的Co-Salophene分子器件的自旋输运

采用基于非平衡格林函数结合第一性原理的密度泛函理论的计算方法,研究了基于锯齿型石墨纳米带电极的Co-Salophene分子器件的自旋极化输运性质.计算结果表明,当左右电极为平行自旋结构时,自旋向上的电流明显大于自旋向下的电流,自旋向下的电流在[-1V,1V]偏压下接近零,分子器件表现出优异的自旋过滤效应.与此同时,在自旋向上电流中发现负微分电阻效应.当左右电极为反平行自旋结构时,器件表现出双自旋过滤和双自旋分子整流效应.除此之外,整个分子器件还表现出较高的巨磁阻效应.通过分析器件的自旋极化透射谱、局域态密度、电极的能带结构和分子自洽投影哈密顿量,详细解释该分子器件表现出众多特性的内在机理.研究结果对设计多功能分子器件具有重要的借鉴意义.     

Spin transport in a Zigzag normal/ferromagnetic graphene junction

We study magnetic proximity effect induced low-energy spin transport in the normal/ferromagnetic junction of a semi-infinite zigzag graphene nanoribbon. Due to the absence of a spin flip in a single interface, the spin transfer in this model can be described by the "two-spin channel" model. We identify each spin channel as either a perfect conducting or a non-conducting channel. This feature leads to spin filter in symmetric zigzag graphene nanoribbon and spin precession in antisymmetric zigzag graphene nanoribbon, and helps to directly determine the exchange-splitting intensity directly, even without an external auxiliary bias.     

Asymmetrical edges induced strong current-polarization in embedded graphene nanoribbons

We investigate the electronic structures and transport properties of the embedded zigzag graphene nanoribbon (E-ZGNR) in hexagonal boron nitride trenches, which are achievable in recent experiments. Our first principles results show that the E-ZGNR has a significant enhanced conductivity relative to common ZGNRs due to the existence of asymmetrical edge structures. Moreover, only one spin-orientation electrons possess a widely opened band gap at the magnetic ground state with anti-ferromagnetic configuration, resulting in a full current-polarization at low bias region. Our findings indicate that the state-of-the-art embedding technology is quite useful for tuning the electronic structure of ZGNR and building possible spin injection and spin filter devices in spintronics.     

界面铁掺杂锯齿形石墨烯纳米带的自旋输运性能

基于密度泛函理论第一原理系统研究了界面铁掺杂锯齿(zigzag)形石墨烯纳米带的自旋输运性能, 首先考虑了宽度为4的锯齿(zigzag)形石墨烯纳米带, 构件了4个纳米器件模型, 对应于中心散射区的长度分别为N=4, 6, 8和10个石墨烯单胞的长度, 铁掺杂在中心区和电极的界面. 发现在铁磁(FM)态, 四个器件的β自旋的电流远大于α自旋的电流, 产生了自旋过滤现象; 而界面铁掺杂的反铁磁态模型, 两种电流自旋都很小, 无法产生自旋过滤现象; 进一步考虑电极的反自旋构型, 器件电流显示出明显的自旋过滤效应. 探讨了带宽分别为5和6的纳米器件的自旋输运性能, 中心散射区的长度为N=6个石墨烯单胞的长度, FM 态下器件两种自旋方向的电流值也存在较大的差异, β自旋的电流远大于α自旋电流. 这些结果表明: 界面铁掺杂能有效调控锯齿形石墨烯纳米带的自旋电子, 对于设计和发展高极化自旋过滤器件有重要意义.     

BN链掺杂的石墨烯纳米带的电学及磁学特性

基于密度泛函理论第一性原理系统研究了BN链掺杂石墨烯纳米带(GNRs)的电学及磁学特性, 对锯齿型石墨烯纳米带(ZGNRs)分非磁态(NM)、反铁磁态(AFM)及铁磁性(FM)三种情况分别进行考虑. 重点研究了单个BN链掺杂的位置效应. 计算发现: BN链掺杂扶手椅型石墨烯纳米带(AGNRs) 能使带隙增加, 不同位置的掺杂, 能使其成为带隙丰富的半导体. BN链掺杂非磁态ZGNR的不同位置, 其金属性均降低, 并能出现准金属的情况; BN链掺杂反铁磁态ZGNR, 能使其从半导体变为金属或半金属(half-metal), 这取决于掺杂的位置; BN链掺杂铁磁态ZGNR, 其金属性保持不变, 与掺杂位置无关. 这些结果表明: BN链掺杂能有效调控石墨烯纳米带的电子结构, 并形成丰富的电学及磁学特性, 这对于发展各种类型的石墨烯基纳米电子器件有重要意义. 关键词： 石墨烯纳米带 BN链掺杂 输运性质 自旋极化     

Fano Resonance Effect in CO-Adsorbed Zigzag Graphene Nanoribbons

Quantum interference plays an important role in tuning the transport property of nano-devices. Using the non-equilibrium Green's Function method in combination with density functional theory, we investigate the influence to the transport property of a CO molecule adsorbed on one edge of a zigzag graphene nanoribbon device. Our results show that the CO molecule-adsorbed zigzag graphene nanoribbon devices can exhibit the Fano resonance phenomenon. Moreover, the distance between CO molecules and zigzag graphene nanoribbons is closely related to the energy sites of the Fano resonance. Our theoretical analyses indicate that the Fano resonance would be attributed to the interaction between CO molecules and the edge of the zigzag graphene nanoribbon device, which results in the localization of electrons and significantly changes the transmission spectrum.     

含Stone-Wales缺陷zigzag型石墨烯纳米带的电学和光学性能研究

本文采用基于密度泛函理论的第一性原理对zigzag型石墨烯纳米带中含有不同Stone-Wales缺陷的电子结构特性和光学性能进行研究. 考虑了两种模型:不计电子自旋和考虑电子自旋的情况.研究发现:不计电子自旋情况下,含对称Stone-Wales缺陷的石墨烯纳米带在缺陷区域出现了凹凸不平的折皱构型,两种不同的Stone-Wales缺陷都引起了电荷的重新分布.考虑电子自旋时,Stone-Wales缺陷的引入对石墨烯纳米带自旋密度有显著影响,也引起了不同自旋的电子态密度的变化.进一步研究了纳米带的光学性能,发现 关键词： 石墨烯纳米带 Stone-Wales缺陷 电子结构 光学性能     

First principles investigation of the spin transport properties in graphene-porphine-graphene nanojunctions

The spin-dependent transport properties of a porphine molecule linking with two zigzag-edged graphene nanoribbon (ZGNR) electrodes have been investigated by using the density of functional theory (DFT) combined with the non-equilibrium Green’s function (NEGF) method. The device shows clearly negative differential resistance (NDR), large tunnelling magnetoresistance (TMR) of 10³ magnitude and nearly 100% perfect spin filter efficiency (SFE) properties, respectively. What’s more, the projected density of states (PDOS), molecular projected self-consistent Hamiltonian (MPSH) eigenvalues and transmission eigenstates were carried out to discuss the transport properties of the ZGNR/Porphine/ZGNR nanojunction. These results suggest that the ZGNR/Porphine/ZGNR device is a promising candidate for multi-functional spintronic devices.     

Rectifying performance in zigzag graphene nanoribbon heterojunctions with different edge hydrogenations

Using nonequilibrium Green?s functions in combination with the density functional theory, we investigated the electronic transport behaviors of zigzag graphene nanoribbon (ZGNR) heterojunctions with different edge hydrogenations. The results show that electronic transport properties of ZGNR heterojunctions can be modulated by hydrogenations, and prominent rectification effects can be observed. We propose that the edge dihydrogenation leads to a blocking of electronic transfer, as well as the changes of the distribution of the frontier orbital at negative/positive bias might be responsible for the rectification effects. These results may be helpful for designing practical devices based on graphene nanoribbons.     

B/N掺杂类直三角石墨烯纳米带器件引起的整流效应

基于密度泛函理论结合非平衡格林函数的方法, 研究了硼(氮)非对称掺杂类直三角石墨烯纳米带器件的电子输运性能. 计算结果表明: 单个硼或氮原子取代类直三角石墨烯纳米带顶点的碳原子后, 增强了体系的电导能力, 并且出现了新颖的整流效应. 分析表明: 这是由于硼氮掺杂类直三角石墨烯纳米带器件在正负偏压下分子能级的移动方向和前线分子轨道空间分布的不对称而产生的. 最重要的是, 当左右类直三角石墨烯纳米带的顶端原子同时被硼和氮掺杂后, 体系的整流效应显著增强, 而且出现负微分电阻效应.     

Impact of Phosphorus superlattices on charge and spin dependent transport properties of zigzag silicene nanoribbons

To investigate charge and spin dependent conductance properties of Phosphorus doped zigzag silicene nanoribbons (ZSiNRs), we utilize recursive Green's function method and Landauer-Büttiker formalism. Our calculations are performed in the absence and presence of exchange magnetic fields with both parallel and antiparallel configurations. Considering a supperlattice of Phosphorus substituents in a periodic distribution at the edge of nanoribbon, the effect of increasing number of dopants and period of the distribution on transport properties are studied. It is found that transport properties of doped ZSiNRs vary with doping concentration according to being odd or even of number of dopants. For parallel configuration, doped ZSiNR with various concentrations works as a controllable spin filter with Fermi energy. Increasing doping concentration leads to increasing size of conductance gap and improvement of controlling quality of spin-filtering property while increasing period of Phosphorus atomic distribution has destructive effect on size of conductance gap and destroys spin-filtering property. Moreover, we show that although the same results are obtained for transport properties of doped ZSiNR with various concentrations of Phosphorus atoms in presence of antiparallel exchange magnetic fields, a completely controllable spin-filtering property cannot be achieved by Fermi energy changes.     

Electronic Transport Properties of Diblock Co-Oligomer Molecule Devices Sandwiched between Nitrogen Doping Armchair Graphene Nanoribbon Electrodes

We investigate the eleetronic transport properties of dipyrimidinyl-diphenyl sandwiched between two armchair graphene nanoribbon electrodes using the nonequilibrium Green function formalism combined with a firstprinciples method based on density functional theory. Among the three models M1-M3, Ml is not doped with a heteroatom. In the left parts of M2 and M3, nitrogen atoms are doped at two edges of the nanoribbon. In the right parts, nitrogen atoms are doped at one center and at the edges of M2 and M3, respectively. Comparisons of M1, M2 and M3 show obvious rectifying characteristics, and the maximum rectification ratios are up to 42.9 in M2. The results show that the rectifying behavior is strongly dependent on the doping position of electrodes. A higher rectifhcation ratio can be found in the dipyrimidinyl-diphenyl molecular device with asymmetric doping of left and right electrodes, which suggests that this system has a broader application in future logic and memory devices.     

High thermoelectric performance of one graphene nanoribbon with line defects

We investigate the quantum transport through zigzag graphene nanoribbons with embedded “5-7-5”-edge line defects, by means of the non-equilibrium Green's function technique. It is found that when two semi-infinite line defects exist in the nanoribbon, notable Fano antiresonance takes place in the quantum transport process, which enables to drive the apparent thermoelectric effect. We propose this structure to be a promising candidate for improving the thermoelectric efficiency based on graphene nanoribbons.     

Electronic transport through zigzag/armchair graphene nanoribbon heterojunctions

The electronic transport properties of a graphene nanoribbon (GNR) are known to be sensitive to its width, edges and defects. We investigate the electronic transport properties of a graphene nanoribbon heterojunction constructed by fusing a zigzag and an armchair graphene nanoribbon (zGNR/aGNR) side by side. First principles results reveal that the heterojunction can be either metallic or semiconducting, depending on the width of the nanoribbons. Intrinsic rectification behaviors have been observed, which are largely sensitive to the connection length between the zGNR and aGNR. The microscopic origins of the rectification behavior have been revealed. We find that the carrier type can alter from electrons to holes with the bias voltage changing from negative to positive; the asymmetrical transmission spectra of electrons and holes induced by the interface defects directly results in the rectification behavior. The results suggest that any methods which can enhance the asymmetry of the transmission spectra between holes and electrons could be used to improve the rectification behavior in the zGNR/aGNR heterojunction. Our findings could be useful for designing graphene based electronic devices.     

Spin currents and magnetoresistance of graphene-based magnetic junctions

Using the tight-binding approximation and the nonequilibrium Green’s function approach, we investigate the coherent spin-dependent transport in planar magnetic junctions consisting of two ferromagnetic (FM) electrodes separated by a graphene flake (GF) with zigzag or armchair interfaces. It is found that the electron conduction strongly depends on the geometry of contact between the GF and the FM electrodes. In the case of zigzag interfaces, the junction demonstrates a spin-valve effect with high magnetoresistance (MR) ratios and shows negative differential resistance features for a single spin channel at positive gate voltage. In the case of armchair interfaces, the current-voltage characteristics behave linearly at low bias voltages and hence, both spin channels are in on state with low MR ratios.     

Spin transport investigation of two type silicene nanoribbons heterostructure

Based on first principles calculation method, we design and investigate the spin transport properties of two type heterostructures based on zigzag silicene nanoribbons (ZSiNRs). The first one consists of hydrogen-terminated ZSiNR (ZSiNR-H) and Rx-terminated ZSiNR (ZSiNR-Rx), here, Rx = O, S, P. The rectification behavior can be observed for heterostructures consisting of ZSiNR-H and ZSiNR-O (ZSiNR-S). The second one can be fabricated with a ZSiNR-Rx central scatter region between two ZSiNR-H electrodes. The results show that this device could maintain its good spin filtering effect for ZSiNR-O model in parallel (P) and antiparallel (AP) spin configuration with large bias range. Then we further investigate the spin-dependent transport with various length of ZSiNR-O region, and find that better spin filtering effect (near 100% spin polarization) can be observed for longer ZSiNR-O region. ZSiNR-S model show analogous spin filtering effect. However, neither rectification behavior nor spin filtering effect arise for ZSiNR-P models.