Regulating the dopant clustering in LiZnAs-based diluted magnetic semiconductor

Tuning of the magnetic interaction plays the vital role in reducing the clustering of magnetic dopant in diluted magnetic semiconductors(DMS).Due to the not well understood magnetic mechanism and the interplay between different magnetic mechanisms,no efficient and universal tuning strategy is proposed at present.Here,the magnetic interactions and formation energies of isovalent-doped(Mn) and aliovalent(Cr)-doped LiZnAs are studied based on density functional theory(DFT).It is found that the dopant–dopant distance-dependent magnetic interaction is highly sensitive to the carrier concentration and carrier type and can only be explained by the interplay between two magnetic mechanisms,i.e.,superexchange and Zener’s p–d exchange model.Thus,the magnetic behavior and clustering of magnetic dopant can be tuned by the interplay between two magnetic mechanisms.The insensitivity of the tuning effect to U parameter suggests that our strategy could be universal to other DMS.

First-Principle Study on the Electronic Structure and Optical Property of New Diluted Magnetic Semiconductor(Y_(0.75)Ca_(0.25))(Cu_(0.75)Mn_(0.25))SO

The band structure,DOSs,and optical properties of(Y_(0.75)Ca_(0.25))(Cu_(0.75)Mn_(0.25))SO,including dielectric function,absorption function,reflection function,and energy loss spectrum were studied by using the first-principles calculation.The calculation results indicate that(Y_(0.75)Ca_(0.25))(Cu_(0.75)Mn_(0.25))SO is a direct bandgap semiconductor with a bandgap of 1.1 eV.The Fermi surface is asymmetric and exhibits spin splitting phenomenon.The new type of dilute magnetic semiconductor(Y_(0.75)Ca_(0.25))(Cu_(0.75)Mn_(0.25))SO exhibits significant light loss around 70 eV,with light reflection gradually increasing after 30 eV,and light absorption mainly occurring around 8-30 eV.These results also provide a basis for the discovery of more types of 1111 phase new dilute magnetic semiconductors in the future.

Double Covalency Factors and DoubleξModel in Study on Optical and Magnetic Properties of Diluted Magnetic Semiconductors ZnX∶Co~ 2+

The optical absorption spectra of the covalent crystals ZnX(X=S,Se) doped with Co 2+ are studied using the double covalency factors,which considers the anisotropic distortion of e g and t 2g orbits for d electron.When the paramagnetic g factor is calculated,the contributions of the spin orbit coupling from the ligand ions are taken into account besides that from the central ion,which is the double ξ model.The calculated results indicate that the theoretical values coincide with the experimental values very well.This suggests that the method presented in this paper could be more valid to some strongly covalent crystals.

Advances in new generation diluted magnetic semiconductors with independent spin and charge doping

As one branch of spintronics, diluted magnetic semiconductors (DMSs) are extensively investigated due to their fundamental significance and potential application in modern information society. The classical materials (Ga,Mn)As of III-V group based DMSs has been well studied for its high compatibility with the high-mobility semiconductor GaAs. But the Curie temperature in (Ga,Mn)As film is still far below room temperature because the spin & charge doping is bundled to the same element that makes the fabrication very difficult. Alternatively, the discovery of a new generation DMSs with independent spin and charge doping, such as (Ba,K)(Zn,Mn)2As2 (briefly named BZA), attracted considerable attention due to their unique advantages in physical properties and heterojunction fabrication. In this review we focus on this series of new DMSs including (I) materials in terms of three types of new DMSs, i.e. the "111","122" and "1111" system;(II) the physical properties of BZA;(III) single crystals & prototype device based on BZA. The prospective of new type of DMSs with independent spin and charge doping is briefly discussed.

Progress on microscopic properties of diluted magnetic semiconductors by NMR and μSR

Diluted magnetic semiconductors (DMSs) that possess both properties of semiconductors and ferromagnetism, have attracted a lot of attentions due to its potential applications for spin-sensitive electronic devices. Recently, a series of bulk form DMSs isostructural to iron-based superconductors have been reported, which can be readily investigated by microscopic experimental techniques such as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and muon spin rotation (μSR). The measurements have demonstrated that homogeneous ferromagnetism is achieved in these DMSs. In this review article, we summarize experimental evidences from both NMR and μSR measurements. NMR results have shown that carriers facilitate the interactions between distant Mn atoms, while μSR results indicate that these bulk form DMSs and (Ga,Mn)As share a common mechanism for the ferromagnetic exchange interactions.

Progress of novel diluted ferromagnetic semiconductors with decoupled spin and charge doping: Counterparts of Fe-based superconductors

Diluted ferromagnetic semiconductors（DMSs） that combine the properties of semiconductors with ferromagnetism have potential application in spin-sensitive electronic（spintronic） devices. The search for DMS materials exploded after the observation of ferromagnetic ordering in Ⅲ-Ⅴ（Ga,Mn）As films. Recently, a series of DMS compounds isostructural to iron-based superconductors have been reported. Among them, the highest Curie temperature TCo f 230 K has been achieved in（Ba,K）（Zn,Mn）2As2. However, most DMSs, including（Ga,Mn）As, are p-type, i.e., the carriers that mediate the ferromagnetism are holes. For practical applications, DMSs with n-type carriers are also advantageous. Very recently,a new DMS Ba（Zn,Co）2As2 with n-type carriers has been synthesized. Here we summarize the recent progress on this research stream. We will show that the homogeneous ferromagnetism in these bulk form DMSs has been confirmed by microscopic techniques, i.e., nuclear magnetic resonance（NMR） and muon spin rotation（μSR）.

First principles study on the structural, electronic and optical properties of diluted magnetic semiconductors Zn1-xCoxX （X=S, Se, Te）

The electronic and optical properties of zincblende ZnX（X=S, Se, Te） and ZnX：Co are studied from density functional theory （DFT） based first principles calculations. The local crystal structure changes around the Co atoms in the lattice are studied after Co atoms are doped. It is shown that the Co-doped materials have smaller lattice constant （about 0.6%-0.9%）. This is mainly due to the shortened Co-X bond length. The （partial） density of states （DOS） is calculated and differences between the pure and doped materials are studied. Results show that for the Co-doped materials, the valence bands are moving upward due to the existence of Co 3d electron states while the conductance bands are moving downward due to the reduced lattice constants. This results in the narrowed band gap of the doped materials. The complex dielectric indices and the absorption coefficients are calculated to examine the influences of the Co atoms on the optical properties. Results show that for the Co-doped materials, the absorption peaks in the high wavelength region are not as sharp and distinct as the undoped materials, and the absorption ranges are extended to even higher wavelength region.

Theoretical prediction and experimental realization of transition metal doped rutiles as diluted magnetic semiconductors

First principle calculations have been performed to study the electron structures and magnetic properties of transition metal doped ruilles in order to predict room temperature diluted magnetic semiconductors. Different doping configurailons have been calculated to find the preferred doping site. The ground state energies of both FM and AFM states have been calculated to study the magnetic coupling between the dopants. The calculation results show the Co doped mutile has a Curie temperature of 1438 K. Co doped mille films have been prepared on Si substrate by magnetron sputtering. X-ray diffraction results show that the deposited film is ruille. Hysteresis loop curves measured by vibration sample magnetization show that the film is ferromagnetic at root temperature.

Magnetic properties of Mn-doped ZnO diluted magnetic semiconductors

A series of Mn-doped ZnO films have been prepared in different sputtering plasmas by using the inductively coupled plasma enhanced physical vapour deposition. The films show paramagnetic behaviour when they are deposited in an argon plasma. The Hall measurement indicates that ferromagnetism cannot be realized by increasing the electron concentration. However, the room-temperature ferromagnetism is obtained when the films are deposited in a mixed argon-nitrogen plasma. The first-principles calculations reveal that antiferromagnetic ordering is favoured in the case of the substitution of Mn^2＋ for Zn^2＋ without additional acceptor doping. The substitution of N for O （NO^-） is necessary to induce ferromagnetic couplings in the Zn-Mn-O system. The hybridization between N 2p and Mn 3d provides an empty orbit around the Fermi level. The hopping of Mn 3d electrons through the empty orbit can induce the ferromagnetic coupling. The ferromagnetism in the N-doped Zn-Mn-O system possibly originates from the charge transfer between Mn^2＋ and Mn^3＋ via NO^-, The key factor is the empty orbit provided by substituting N for O, rather than the conductivity type or the carrier concentration.

Structural stability at high pressure, electronic, and magnetic properties of BaFZnAs：A new candidate of host material of diluted magnetic semiconductors

The layered semiconductor BaFZnAs with the tetragonal ZrCuSiAs-type structure has been successfully synthesized.Both the in-situ high-pressure synchrotron x-ray diffraction and the high-pressure Raman scattering measurements demonstrate that the structure of BaFZnAs is stable under pressure up to 17.5 GPa at room temperature. The resistivity and the magnetic susceptibility data show that BaFZnAs is a non-magnetic semiconductor. BaFZnAs is recommended as a candidate of the host material of diluted magnetic semiconductor.

Magnetism and Stability of Diluted Magnetic Semiconductor (Ga_(1-x)Fe_x)As

Magnetism and the stability of (Ga 1-xFe x)As are investigated using the first principles LMTO-ASA band calculation by assuming supercell structures.Four concentrations of the 3d impurities are studied (x=1,1/2,1/4,and 1/8).The results show the effect of varying Fe concentration on the magnetic and stable properties.

First-Principles Studies the Lattice Constants and the Electronic Structures of Diluted Magnetic Semiconductors (In,Mn)As

Lattice constants and electronic structures of diluted magnetic semiconductors （ In, Mn ） As were investigated using the first principles LMTO-ASA band calculation by assuming supercell structures. Three concentrations of the 3 d impurities were studied （ x = 1/2, 1/4, 1/8）. The effect of varying Mn coucentrations on the lattice constants and the electronic structures are shown.

A Green’s function model for ferromagnetism and spin excitations of (Ga, Mn)As diluted magnetic semiconductors

We study （Ga, Mn）As diluted magnetic semiconductors in terms of the Ruderman-Kittel-Kasuya-Yosida quantum spin model in Green＇s function approach. Random distributions of the magnetic atoms are treated by using an analytical average of magnetic configurations. Average magnetic moments and spin excitation spectra as functions of temperature can be obtained by solving self-consistent equations, and the Curie temperature TC is given explicitly. Tc is proportional to magnetic atomic concentration, and there exists a maximum for Tc as a function of carrier concentration. Applied to （Ga, Mn）As, the theoretical results are consistent with experiment and the experimental TC can be obtained with reasonable parameters. This modelling can also be applied to other diluted magnetic semiconductors.

Carrier-Induced Magnetic Solitons and Metal-Insulator Transition in Diluted Magnetic Semiconductors Ga_1-xMn_xAs

We discuss hole-induced magnetic solitons and metal-insulator transition of transport properties in diluted magnetic semiconductors Ga1-xMnxAs from the standpoint of a field theoretical formulation, and analyze experimental data of transport properties, using the supersymmetry sigma formula and the effective Lagrangian of diffusion model.

Energy Stabilities, Magnetic Properties, and Electronic Structures of Diluted Magnetic Semiconductor Zn1-xMnxS（001） Thin Films

We investigate the electronic and magnetic properties of the diluted magnetic semiconductors Zn1-xMnxS（001） thin films with different Mn doping concentrations using the total energy density functional theory. The energy stability and density of states of a single Mn atom and two Mn atoms at various doped configurations and different magnetic coupling state were calculated. Different doping configurations have different degrees of p-d hybridization, and because Mn atoms are located in different crystal-field environment, the 3d projected densities of states peak splitting of different Mn doping configurations are quite different. In the two Mn atoms doped, the calculated ground states of three kinds of stable configurations are anti-ferromagnetic state. We analyzed the 3d density of states diagram of three kinds of energy stability configurations with the two Mn atoms in different magnetic coupling state. When the two Mn atoms are ferromagnetic coupling, due to d-d electron interactions, density of states of anti-bonding state have significant broadening peaks. As the concentration of Mn atoms increases, there is a tendency for Mn atoms to form nearest neighbors and cluster around S. For such these configurations, the antiferromagnetic coupling between Mn atoms is energetically more favorable.

Room-temperature anomalous Hall effect and magnetroresistance in(Ga,Co)-codoped ZnO diluted magnetic semiconductor films

This paper reports that the （Ga, Co）-codoped ZnO thin films have been grown by inductively coupled plasma enhanced physical vapour deposition. Room-temperature ferromagnetism is observed for the as-grown thin films. The x-ray absorption fine structure characterization reveals that Co2＋ and Ga3＋ ions substitute for Zn2＋ ions in the ZnO lattice and exclude the possibility of extrinsic ferromagnetism origin. The ferromagnetic （Ga, Co）-codoped ZnO thin films exhibit carrier concentration dependent anomalous Hall effect and positive magnetoresistance at room tempera- ture. The mechanism of anomalous Hall effect and magneto-transport in ferromagnetic ZnO-based diluted magnetic semiconductors is discussed.

Effects of Samarium Doping on Optical Properties of Zn_(0.9)(Co_(1-x)Sm_x )_(0.1)O Diluted Magnetic Semiconductor

Transparent ZnO and Zn0.9(Co1-xSmx)0.1O (x =0.0, 0.10, 0.20, 0.30, 0.40, 0.50, 0.60, 0.70, 0.80, 0.90, 1.0) films were prepared by sol-gel method. For the prepared Zn0.9(Co1-xSmx )0.1O systems, the influences of dopant concentration of Sm on the structural and optical properties were investigated. Three additional absorption peaks around 570, 620, and 660 nm wavelengths were observed in low Sm content films, which is attributed to the d-d transitions of Co2+ ions in tetrahedral crystalline. The redshift of band gap in doped samples was discussed in detail.

Effects of chemical pressure on diluted magneticsemiconductor(Ba,K)(Zn,Mn)_2As_2

Chemical pressure induced by iso-valent doping has been widely employed to tune physical properties of materials. In this work, we report effects of chemical pressure by substitution of Sb or P into As on a recently discovered diluted magnetic semiconductor(Ba,K)(Zn,Mn)_2 As_2, which has the record of reliable Curie temperature of 230 K due to independent charge and spin doping. Sb and P are substituted into As-site to produce negative and positive chemical pressures, respectively.X-ray diffraction results demonstrate the successful chemical solution of dopants. Magnetic properties of both K-underdoped and K-optimal-doped samples are effectively tuned by Sb-and P-doping. The Hall effect measurements do not show decrease in carrier concentrations upon Sb-and P-doping. Impressively, magnetoresistance is significantly improved from7% to 27% by only 10% P-doping, successfully extending potential application of(Ba,K)(Zn,Mn)_2 As_2.

Zn_(1-x)Co_xO Diluted Magnetic Semiconductor Bulk Prepared by Hot Pressing

Zn1-xCoxO diluted magnetic semiconductor bulks were prepared by hot pressing.Mixed powders of pure ZnO and CoO were compacted under pressure of 10 MPa at the temperature of 1 073 K.Then the samples were annealed in vacuum at the temperature from 673 K to 873 K for 10 h.The crystal structure and magnetic properties of Zn1-xCoxO bulks have been investigated by X-ray diffraction（XRD） and vibrating sample magnetometer（VSM）.X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy（XPS） was used to study chemical valence of zinc and cobalt in the samples.The results showed that Zn1-xCoxO samples had c-axis oriented wurtzite symmetry,neither cobalt or cobalt oxide phase was found in the samples if x was less than 0.15.Zn and Co existed in Zn0.9Co0.1O sample in Zn2＋ and Co2＋ states.The results of VSM experiment proved the room temperature ferromagnetic properties（RTFP） of Co-doped ZnO samples.The saturation magnetization and the coercivity of Zn0.9Co0.1O sample,observed in the M-H curve,were about 0.20 emu/g and 200 Oe,respectively.

Mg and Ni Incorporated ZnO Diluted Magnetic Semiconductor for Magnetic and Photo-Catalytic Applications

Zinc oxide is recently being used as a magnetic semiconductor with the introduction of mag-netic elements.In this work,we report phase pure synthesis of Mg and Ni co-substituted ZnO to explore its structure,optical,magnetic and photo-catalytic properties.X-ray di raction analysis reveals the hexagonal wurtzite type structure having P63mc space group without any impurity phase.UV-Vis spectrophotometry demonstrates the variation in bandgap with the addition of Mg and Ni content in ZnO matrix.Magnetic measurements exhibit a clear boosted magnetization in Ni and Mg co-doped compositions with its stable value of bandgap corroborating the structural stability and magnetic tuning for its advanced applications in modern-day spintronic devices.Photo-catalytic measurements performed using methyl green degradation demonstrate an enhanced trend of activity in Mg and Ni co-doped compositions.