Published online by Cambridge University Press: 21 March 2011
Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy is used to characterize the growth of NiO over Ni electrodes. We find a limited increase of thickness and a significant increase of porosity of the oxide as a function of time and anodization potential. Conductance measurements performed on Ni/NiO/Co junctions of 30 nm diameters indicate the presence of a Coulomb blockade at low temperatures and small bias. Tunneling is observed at higher bias. Small magnetoresistance ratios (1%) are found.