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Magnetoresistance through a single nickel atom

M. Viret1, S. Berger1, M. Gabureac1, F. Ott1, D. Olligs1, I. Petej2, J. F. Gregg2, C. Fermon1, G. Francinet1 et al.

G. Le Goff1

  • 1Service de Physique de l’Etat Condensé, CEA Orme des Merisiers, F-91191 Gif-Sur-Yvette, France
  • 2Clarendon Laboratory, Parks Road, Oxford, England

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Phys. Rev. B 66, 220401(R) – Published 12 December, 2002

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.66.220401

Abstract

The magnetoresistance (MR) of a nickel atomic contact has been measured using the break junction technique. When the contact is only between two atoms, the change of resistance with applied field reaches 40%. It is composed of a continuous bell-shaped curve on which discrete jumps are superimposed. The MR changes sign when the applied field is rotated, which we explain by a spin-orbit coupling change of orbital overlap between the Ni atoms forming the junction. Reproducible jumps in the MR curve are attributed to a field induced change of spin configuration within the few atoms composing the contact.

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Phys. Rev. B 66, 220401(R)– Published 12 December, 2002
  • Received 7 May 2002

© 2002 American Physical Society

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