Atomistic simulation of tunneling magnetoresistance using extended Hückel theory

Atomistic simulations of magnetic tunnel junctions are performed using the extended Huckel theory and non equilibrium Green's function formalism. The effect of Fermi level pinning and the corresponding change in the tunnelling barrier height on the junction resistance and magnetoresistance ratio is studied. An approximate approach to the treatment of alloyed ferromagnet bandstructure is proposed and the effect of Fe and Co fractions in the ferromagnetic electrodes is determined.