Spin-dependent electronic states of the ferromagnetic semimetal EuB6

Phys Rev Lett. 2008 Apr 25;100(16):167001. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.100.167001. Epub 2008 Apr 22.

Abstract

The spin polarization of EuB6 has been measured by using Andreev reflection spectroscopy. Analyses of the conductance spectra of the EuB6/Pb junctions yield a spin polarization of about 56%. The results demonstrate that the ferromagnetic EuB6 is not half-metallic. Combined with the Hall effect and magnetoresistivity data, the results indicate a semimetallic band structure with a fully spin-polarized hole band and an unpolarized electron band. The values and the spread of the measured spin polarization are quantitatively consistent with the experimentally determined Fermi surface and carrier densities.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.