Electronic structure and bulk spin-valve behavior in Ca3Ru2O7

Density functional calculations of the fermiology and magnetic properties of Ca3Ru2O7 reveal an unusual state: a bulk spin valve. The ground state consists of nearly half-metallic bilayers stacked antiferromagnetically with a weak coupling. Out of plane transport is very strongly suppressed by the antiferromagnetic alignment, which can be destroyed in favor of ferromagnetism at low energy cost. Furthermore, the spin transport in the ferromagnetic state is highly unusual; opposite sign spin polarizations are found for currents in plane and out of plane.