Carrier-controlled ferromagnetism in transparent oxide semiconductors

Nat Mater. 2006 Apr;5(4):298-304. doi: 10.1038/nmat1613. Epub 2006 Mar 19.

Abstract

The search for an ideal magnetic semiconductor with tunable ferromagnetic behaviour over a wide range of doping or by electrical gating is being actively pursued as a major step towards realizing spin electronics. A magnetic semiconductor having a high Curie temperature, capable of independently controlled carrier density and magnetic doping, is crucial for developing spin-based multifunctional devices. Cr-doped In(2)O(3) is such a unique system, where the electrical and magnetic behaviour-from ferromagnetic metal-like to ferromagnetic semiconducting to paramagnetic insulator-can be controllably tuned by the defect concentration. An explicit dependence of magnetic interaction leading to ferromagnetism on the carrier density is shown. A carrier-density-dependent high Curie temperature of 850-930 K has been measured, in addition to the observation of clear magnetic domain structures in these films. Being optically transparent with the above optimal properties, Cr-doped In(2)O(3) emerges as a viable candidate for the development of spin electronics.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Alloys
  • Chromium / chemistry
  • Chromium Compounds / chemistry
  • Crystallization
  • Electrons
  • Indium / chemistry
  • Iron / chemistry*
  • Magnetics*
  • Materials Testing
  • Microscopy, Atomic Force
  • Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
  • Nanostructures
  • Oxides / chemistry*
  • Oxygen / chemistry
  • Partial Pressure
  • Pressure
  • Semiconductors
  • Substrate Specificity
  • Surface Properties
  • Temperature
  • Time Factors
  • X-Ray Diffraction

Substances

  • Alloys
  • Chromium Compounds
  • Oxides
  • Indium
  • Chromium
  • Iron
  • Oxygen
  • chromic oxide