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arXiv · 0905.2387

MgN: a new promising material for spintronic applications

A. Droghetti·N. Baadji·S. Sanvito
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Abstract

Density functional theory calculations demonstrate that rocksalt MgN is a magnetic material at the verge of half-metallicity, with an electronic structure robust against strong correlations and spin-orbit interaction. Furthermore the calculated heat of formation describes the compound as metastable and suggests that it can be fabricated by tuning the relative Mg and N abundance during growth. Intriguingly the equilibrium lattice constant is close to that of MgO, so that MgN is likely to form as an inclusion during the fabrication of N-doped MgO. We then speculate that the MgO/MgN system may represent a unique materials platform for magnetic tunnel junctions not incorporating any transition metals.

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A. Droghetti, N. Baadji, S. Sanvito. 2009-05-14. MgN: a new promising material for spintronic applications. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevb.80.235310

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