Current and spin-filtering dual diodes based on diluted magnetic semiconductor heterostructures with a nonmagnetic barrier

We have investigated the ballistic spin-polarized transport through a diluted magnetic semiconductor heterostructure with the inclusion of a nonmagnetic barrier. It is found that at suitable magnetic fields, the output current of the system exhibits a nearly 100% spin polarization and large values under the forward bias, while under the reverse bias it is small and shows a weak polarization. Such current and spin-filtering dual diode functions are robust under the change of the nonmagnetic barrier width. (C) 2003 American Institute of Physics.