Valence-band structure of the ferromagnetic semiconductor GaMnAs studied by spin-dependent resonant tunneling spectroscopy.

The valence-band structure and the Fermi level (E(F)) position of ferromagnetic-semiconductor GaMnAs are quantitatively investigated by electrically detecting the resonant tunneling levels of a GaMnAs quantum well (QW) in double-barrier heterostructures. The resonant level from the heavy-hole first state is clearly observed in the metallic GaMnAs QW, indicating that holes have a high coherency and that E(F) exists in the band gap. Clear enhancement of tunnel magnetoresistance induced by resonant tunneling is demonstrated in these double-barrier heterostructures.