Bias-induced reconstruction of hybrid interface states in magnetic molecular junctions

Based on first-principles calculations, the bias-induced evolutions of hybrid interface states in pi-conjugated tricene and in insulating octane magnetic molecular junctions are investigated. Obvious bias-induced splitting and energy shift of the spin-resolved hybrid interface states are observed in the two junctions. The recombination of the shifted hybrid interface states from different interfaces makes the spin polarization around the Fermi energy strongly bias-dependent. The transport calculations demonstrate that in the pi-conjugated tricene junction, the bias-dependent hybrid interface states work efficiently for large current, current spin polarization, and distinct tunneling magnetoresistance. But in the insulating octane junction, the spin-dependent transport via the hybrid interface states is inhibited, which is only slightly disturbed by the bias. This work reveals the phenomenon of bias-induced reconstruction of hybrid interface states in molecular spinterface devices, and the underlying role of conjugated molecular orbitals in the transport ability of hybrid interface states.