Composition dependence of magnetic and magnetotransport properties in C-Co granular thin films

Sugai, Isamu*; Sakai, Seiji; Matsumoto, Yoshihiro; Naramoto, Hiroshi*; Mitani, Seiji*; Takanashi, Koki; Maeda, Yoshihito

Composition dependence of magnetic and magnetotransport properties in CCo thin films exhibiting large magnetoresistance TMR effect was investigated in the Co composition range of x=8-20, where x denotes the number of Co atoms per C molecule. The composition dependence of magnetic property revealed a structural transition from well-defined granular structures in the range of x=8-17 to magnetically and electronically coupled states of Co nanoparticles over x=17. As a result of the structural change, the MR behavior became different between the two composition regions separated at x=17. It is found that the zero-bias MR ratio and also the strength of the voltage dependence are in proportion to the charging energy to Co nanoparticles in the samples with well-defined granular structures. The present results indicate that the charging effect of Co nanoparticles plays an important role in the anomalously large MR effect of C-Co granular films.