We report a comprehensive study of ordered MnSi films grown on Si (111) which provides clear proofs that these MnSi films have the same magnetic and electronic properties of bulk MnSi compound, so closing a long-standing question. Furthermore, our measurements show the presence of a room-temperature ferromagnetic transition consistent with the ferromagnetic ground state predicted for Mn atoms with reduced coordination near surfaces and interfaces of silicon by recent calculations of Hortamani et al. [Phys. Rev. B 78, 104402 (2008)]. The possibility of growing layers on semiconductors which are ferromagnetic at room temperature RT is of paramount importance for nonvolatile memories and spintronic devices based on the injection of spin-polarized current from a ferromagnetic metal into a semiconductor. In this perspective MnSi films grown on Si substrates represent an interesting case study.
Ferromagnetic and ordered MnSi(111) epitaxial layers
MOZZATI, MARIA CRISTINA
2010-01-01
Abstract
We report a comprehensive study of ordered MnSi films grown on Si (111) which provides clear proofs that these MnSi films have the same magnetic and electronic properties of bulk MnSi compound, so closing a long-standing question. Furthermore, our measurements show the presence of a room-temperature ferromagnetic transition consistent with the ferromagnetic ground state predicted for Mn atoms with reduced coordination near surfaces and interfaces of silicon by recent calculations of Hortamani et al. [Phys. Rev. B 78, 104402 (2008)]. The possibility of growing layers on semiconductors which are ferromagnetic at room temperature RT is of paramount importance for nonvolatile memories and spintronic devices based on the injection of spin-polarized current from a ferromagnetic metal into a semiconductor. In this perspective MnSi films grown on Si substrates represent an interesting case study.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
