Ferromagnetic and ordered MnSi(111) epitaxial layers

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...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Applied physics letters 2010-04, Vol.96 (15), p.152503-152503-3
Main Authors: Magnano, E., Bondino, F., Cepek, C., Parmigiani, F., Mozzati, M. C.
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary: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 [ 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.
ISSN:0003-6951
1077-3118
DOI:10.1063/1.3392373