Europium nitride: A novel diluted magnetic semiconductor


Abstract in English

Europium nitride is semiconducting and contains non-magnetic 3+, but sub-stoichiometric EuN has Eu in a mix of 2+ and 3+ charge states. We show that at 2+ ~concentrations near 15-20% EuN is ferromagnetic with a Curie temperature as high as 120 K. The 3+ ~polarization follows that of the 2+, confirming that the ferromagnetism is intrinsic to the EuN which is thus a novel diluted magnetic semiconductor. Transport measurements shed light on the likely exchange mechanisms.

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