Prediction of Giant Tunneling Magnetoresistance in RuO$_{2}$/TiO$_{2}$/RuO$_{2}$ (110) Antiferromagnetic Tunnel Junctions

Abstract

Using first-principles quantum-transport calculations, we investigate spin-dependent electronic and transport properties of antiferromagnetic tunnel junctions (AFMTJs) that consist of (110)-oriented antiferromagnetic (AFM) metal RuO$_{2}$ electrodes and an insulating TiO$_{2}$ tunneling barrier. We predict the emergence of a giant tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) effect in a wide energy window, a series of barrier layer thicknesses, and different interface terminations, indicating the robustness of this effect. We show that the predicted TMR cannot be explained in terms of the global transport spin-polarization of RuO$_{2}$ (110) but is well understood based on matching the momentum-dependent spin-polarized conduction channels of the two RuO$_{2}$ (110) electrodes. We predict oscillations of TMR with increasing barrier thickness, indicating a non-negligible contribution from the perfectly epitaxial interfaces. Our work helps the understanding of the physics of TMR in AFMTJs and aids in realizing efficient AFM spintronic devices.