In situ photoemission study of the room temperature ferromagnet ZnGeP2:Mn

Phys Rev Lett. 2003 Sep 5;91(10):107202. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.91.107202. Epub 2003 Sep 5.

Abstract

The chemical states of the ZnGeP(2):Mn interface which shows ferromagnetism above room temperature have been studied by photoemission spectroscopy. Mn deposition on the ZnGeP2 substrate heated to 400 degrees C induced Mn substitution for Zn and then the formation of metallic Mn-Ge-P compounds. Depth profile studies have shown that Mn 3d electrons changed their character from itinerant to localized along the depth, and in the deep region, dilute divalent Mn species (<5% Mn) was observed with a coexisting metallic Fermi edge of non-Mn 3d character. The possibility of hole doping through Mn substitution for Ge and/or Zn vacancy is discussed.