Defect-induced magnetism in cobalt-doped ZnO epilayers

We used a synergic Co-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and density functional theory calculations approach to perform a study of defects which could account for the room temperature ferromagnetism of ZnCoO, an oxide of great potential interest in semiconductor spintronics. Our results sugges...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Ciatto, G, Di, Trolio A, Fonda, E, Alippi, P, Polimeni, A, Capizzi, M, Varvaro, G, Amore, Bonapasta A
Format: Conference Proceeding
Language:English
Subjects:
ABSORPTION SPECTROSCOPY
COBALT
CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND SUPERFLUIDITY
DEFECTS
DENSITY FUNCTIONAL METHOD
Density functional theory
DOPED MATERIALS
FERROMAGNETISM
HYDROGEN
IRRADIATION
J-J COUPLING
Magnetism
SEMICONDUCTOR MATERIALS
Spintronics
X ray absorption
X ray spectra
X-RAY SPECTROSCOPY
Zinc oxide
ZINC OXIDES
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Summary:We used a synergic Co-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and density functional theory calculations approach to perform a study of defects which could account for the room temperature ferromagnetism of ZnCoO, an oxide of great potential interest in semiconductor spintronics. Our results suggest that a key role is played by specific defect complexes in which O vacancies are located close to the Co atoms. Extended defects such as Co clusters have a marginal function, although we observe their formation at the epilayer surface under certain growth conditions. We also show preliminary results of the study of hydrogen-induced defects in ZnCoO epilayers deliberately hydrogen irradiated via a Kaufman source. Hydrogen was in fact predicted to mediate a ferromagnetic spin-spin interaction between neighboring magnetic impurities.
ISSN:0094-243X
1551-7616
DOI:10.1063/1.4865664