Spin-Polarized Hopping Transport in Magnetically Tunable Rare-Earth Quinolines

Molecular spin-valves based on magnetically tunable rare-earth quinolines are presented. Electrical characterization of the devices reveals genuine spin injection and transport across the molecules, supported by the coexistence of thermally activated hopping transport and a robust magnetoresistance effect at room temperature. It is found that both injection and spin-polarized transport are governed by the molecular ligand states, as there is no substantial effect from the molecular magnetic ions.