arXiv subjects

C. T. Foxon

Publications and source records attributed to C. T. Foxon.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2008

Voltage control of magnetocrystalline anisotropy in ferromagnetic - semiconductor/piezoelectric hybrid structures

We demonstrate dynamic voltage control of the magnetic anisotropy of a (Ga,Mn)As device bonded to a piezoelectric transducer. The application of a uniaxial strain leads to a large reorientation of the magnetic easy axis which is detected by measuring longitudinal and transverse anisotropic magnetoresistance coefficients. Calculations based on the mean-field kinetic-exchange model of (Ga,Mn)As provide microscopic understanding of the measured effect. Electrically induced magnetization switching and detection of unconventional crystalline components of the anisotropic magnetoresistance are presented, illustrating the generic utility of the piezo voltage control to provide new device functionalities and in the research of micromagnetic and magnetotransport phenomena in diluted magnetic semiconductors.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2008

Valence band orbital polarization in III-V ferromagnetic semiconductors

The element-specific technique of x-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) is used to directly determine the magnitude and character of the valence band orbital magnetic moments in (III,Mn)As ferromagnetic semiconductors. A distinct dichroism is observed at the As K absorption edge, yielding an As 4p orbital magnetic moment of around -0.1 Bohr magnetons per valence band hole. This is strongly influenced by strain, indicating its crucial influence on the magnetic anisotropy. The dichroism at the Ga K edge is much weaker. The K edge XMCD signals for Mn and As both have positive sign, which indicates the important contribution of Mn 4p states to the Mn K edge spectra.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2007

The Origin and Control of the Sources of AMR in (Ga,Mn)As Devices

We present details of our experimental and theoretical study of the components of the anisotropic magnetoresistance (AMR) in (Ga,Mn)As. We develop experimental methods to yield directly the non-crystalline and crystalline AMR components which are then independently analyzed. These methods are used to explore the unusual phenomenology of the AMR in ultra thin (5nm) (Ga,Mn)As layers and to demonstrate how the components of the AMR can be engineered through lithography induced local lattice relaxations. We expand on our previous [Phys. Rev. Lett. \textbf{99}, 147207 (2007)] theoretical analysis and numerical calculations to present a simplified analytical model for the origin of the non-crystalline AMR. We find that the sign of the non-crystalline AMR is determined by the form of spin-orbit coupling in the host band and by the relative strengths of the non-magnetic and magnetic contributions to the impurity potential.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2007

Anisotropic Magnetoresistance components in (Ga,Mn)As

Our experimental and theoretical study of the non-crystalline and crystalline components of the anisotropic magnetoresistance (AMR) in (Ga,Mn)As is aimed at exploring the basic physical aspects of this relativistic transport effect. The non-crystalline AMR reflects anisotropic lifetimes of the holes due to polarized Mn impurities while the crystalline AMR is associated with valence band warping. We find that the sign of the non-crystalline AMR is determined by the form of spin-orbit coupling in the host band and by the relative strengths of the non-magnetic and magnetic contributions to the impurity potential. We develop experimental methods directly yielding the non-crystalline and crystalline AMR components which are then independently analyzed. We report the observation of an AMR dominated by a large uniaxial crystalline component and show that AMR can be modified by local strain relaxation. We discuss generic implications of our experimental and theoretical findings including predictions for non-crystalline AMR sign reversals in dilute moment systems.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2007

Magnetocrystalline anisotropy controlled local magnetic configurations in (Ga,Mn)As spin-transfer-torque microdevices

The large saturation magnetization in conventional dense moment ferromagnets offers flexible means of manipulating the ordered state through demagnetizing shape anisotropy fields but these dipolar fields, in turn, limit the integrability of magnetic elements in information storage devices. We show that in a (Ga,Mn)As dilute moment ferromagnet, with comparatively weaker magnetic dipole interactions, locally tunable magnetocrystalline anisotropy can take the role of the internal field which determines the magnetic configuration. Experiments and theoretical modeling are presented for lithographically patterned microchannels and the phenomenon is attributed to lattice relaxations across the channels. The utility of locally controlled magnetic anisotropies is demonstrated in current induced switching experiments. We report structure sensitive, current induced in-plane magnetization switchings well below the Curie temperature at critical current densities 10^5 Acm^-2. The observed phenomenology shows signatures of a contribution from domain-wall spin-transfer-torque effects.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2007

On the character of states near the Fermi level in (Ga,Mn)As: impurity to valence band crossover

We discuss the character of states near the Fermi level in Mn doped GaAs, as revealed by a survey of dc transport and optical studies over a wide range of Mn concentrations. A thermally activated valence band contribution to dc transport, a mid-infrared peak at energy hbar omega approx 200 meV in the ac- conductivity, and the hot photoluminescence spectra indicate the presence of an impurity band in low doped (<<1% Mn) insulating GaAs:Mn materials. Consistent with the implications of this picture, both the impurity band ionization energy inferred from the dc transport and the position of the mid-infrared peak move to lower energies and the peak broadens with increasing Mn concentration. In metallic materials with > 2% doping, no traces of Mn-related activated contribution can be identified in dc-transport, suggesting that the impurity band has merged with the valence band. No discrepancies with this perception are found when analyzing optical measurements in the high-doped GaAs:Mn. A higher energy (hbar omega approx 250 meV) mid-infrared feature which appears in the metallic samples is associated with inter-valence band transitions. Its red-shift with increased doping can be interpreted as a consequence of increased screening which narrows the localized-state valence-band tails and weakens higher energy transition amplitudes. Our examination of the dc and ac transport characteristics of GaAs:Mn is accompanied by comparisons with its shallow acceptor counterparts, confirming the disordered valence band picture of high-doped metallic GaAs:Mn material.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2007

Domain imaging and domain wall propagation in (Ga,Mn)As thin films with tensile strain

We have performed spatially resolved Polar Magneto-Optical Kerr Effect Microscopy measurements on as-grown and annealed Ga0.95Mn0.05As thin films with tensile strain. We find that the films exhibit very strong perpendicular magnetic anisotropy which is increased upon annealing. During magnetic reversal, the domain walls propagate along the direction of surface ripples for the as-grown sample at low temperatures and along the [110] direction for the annealed sample. This indicates that the magnetic domain pattern during reversal is determined by a combination of magnetocrystalline anisotropy and a distribution of pinning sites along the surface ripples that can be altered by annealing. These mechanisms could lead to an effective method of controlling domain wall propagation.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2006

AMR and magnetometry studies of ultra thin GaMnAs films

We have measured the Anisotropic Magnetoresistance (AMR) of ultra thin (5nm) Ga(0.95)Mn(0.05)As films. We find that the sign of the AMR can be positive or negative, which may depend on the direction of the current with respect to the crystal. At low temperatures, transport measurements and SQUID magnetometry suggest that the magnetisation has a component pointing out of the plane of the film.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2006

Coulomb blockade anisotropic magnetoresistance: Singleelectronics meets spintronics

Single-electronics and spintronics are among the most intensively investigated potential complements or alternatives to CMOS electronics. Single-electronics, which is based on the discrete charge of the electron, is the ultimate in miniaturization and electro-sensitivity. Spintronics, which is based on manipulating electron spins,delivers high magneto-sensitivity and non-volatile memory effects. So far, major developments in the two fields have followed independent paths with only a few experimental studies of hybrid single-electronic/spintronic devices. Intriguing new effects have been discovered in such devices but these have not, until now, offered the possibility of useful new functionalities. Here we demonstrate a device which shows a new physical effect, Coulomb blockade anisotropic magnetoresistance, and which offers a route to non-volatile, low-field, and highly electro- and magneto-sensitive operation. Since this new phenomenon reflects the magnetization orientation dependence of the classical single-electron charging energy it does not impose constraints on the operational temperature associated with more subtle quantum effects, such as resonant or spin-coherent tunneling.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2005

Thermo-Electric Properties of Quantum Point Contacts

I. Introduction II. Theoretical background (Landauer-Buttiker formalism of thermo-electricity, Quantum point contacts as ideal electron waveguides, Saddle-shaped potential) III. Experiments (Thermopower, Thermal conductance, Peltier effect) IV. Conclusions

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2005

Control of Coercivities in (Ga,Mn)As Thin Films by Small Concentrations of MnAs Nanoclusters

We demonstrate that low concentrations of a secondary magnetic phase in (Ga,Mn)As thin films can enhance the coercivity by factors up to ~100 without significantly degrading the Curie temperature or saturation magnetisation. Magnetic measurements indicate that the secondary phase consists of MnAs nanoclusters, of average size ~7nm. This approach to controlling the coercivity while maintaining high Curie temperature, may be important for realizing ferromagnetic semiconductor based devices.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2005

Low-temperature magnetization of (Ga,Mn)As semiconductors

We report on a comprehensive study of the ferromagnetic moment per Mn atom in (Ga,Mn)As ferromagnetic semiconductors. Theoretical discussion is based on microscopic calculations and on an effective model of Mn local moments antiferromagnetically coupled to valence band hole spins. The validity of the effective model over the range of doping studied is assessed by comparing with microscopic tight-binding/coherent-potential approximation calculations. Using the virtual crystal k.p model for hole states, we evaluate the zero-temperature mean-field contributions to the magnetization from the hole kinetic and exchange energies, and magnetization suppression due to quantum uctuations of Mn moment orientations around their mean-field ground state values. Experimental low-temperature ferromagnetic moments per Mn are obtained by superconducting quantum interference device and x-ray magnetic circular dichroism measurements in a series of (Ga,Mn)As semiconductors with nominal Mn doping ranging from ~2% to 8%. Hall measurements in as-grown and annealed samples are used to estimate the number of uncompensated substitutional Mn moments. Based on our comparison between experiment and theory we conclude that all these Mn moments in high quality (Ga,Mn)As materials have nearly parallel ground state alignment.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2005

GaMnAs grown on (311) GaAs substrates: modified Mn incorporation and new magnetic anisotropies

We report the results of a detailed study of the structural, magnetic and magnetotransport properties of as-grown and annealed Ga0.91Mn0.09As thin films grown on (311)A and (311)B GaAs substrates. The high Curie temperature and hole density of the (311)B material are comparable to those of GaMnAs grown on (001) GaAs under the same growth conditions, while they are much lower for the (311)A material. We find evidence that Mn incorporation is more efficient for (311)B than for (001) and significantly less efficient for (311)A which is consistent with the bonding on these surfaces. This indicates that growth on (311)B may be a route to increased Curie temperatures in GaMnAs. A biaxial magnetic anisotropy is observed for the (311) material with easy axes along the [010] and [001] out-of-plane directions. An additional uniaxial in-plane anisotropy is also observed with the easy axis along for the (311)A material, and along for the (311)B material. This new observation may be of importance for the resolution of the outstanding problem of the origin of uniaxial anisotropy in (001) GaMnAs.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2005

Reorientation Transition in Single-Domain (Ga,Mn)As

We demonstrate that the interplay of in-plane biaxial and uniaxial anisotropy fields in (Ga,Mn)As results in a magnetization reorientation transition and an anisotropic AC susceptibility which is fully consistent with a simple single domain model. The uniaxial and biaxial anisotropy constants vary respectively as the square and fourth power of the spontaneous magnetization across the whole temperature range up to T_C. The weakening of the anisotropy at the transition may be of technological importance for applications involving thermally-assisted magnetization switching.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2005

Anisotropic Magnetoresistance and Magnetic Anisotropy in High-quality (Ga,Mn)As Films

We have performed a systematic investigation of magnetotransport of a series of as-grown and annealed Ga1-xMnxAs samples with 0.011 <= x <= 0.09. We find that the anisotropic magnetoresistance (AMR) generally decreases with increasing magnetic anisotropy, with increasing Mn concentration and on low temperature annealing. We show that the uniaxial magnetic anisotropy can be clearly observed from AMR for the samples with x >= 0.02. This becomes the dominant anisotropy at elevated temperatures, and is shown to rotate by 90o on annealing. We find that the in-plane longitudinal resistivity depends not only on the relative angle between magnetization and current direction, but also on the relative angle between magnetization and the main crystalline axes. The latter term becomes much smaller after low temperature annealing. The planar Hall effect is in good agreement with the measured AMR indicating the sample is approximately in a single domain state throughout most of the magnetisation reversal, with a two-step magnetisation jump ascribed to domain wall nucleation and propagation.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2005

Prospects of high temperature ferromagnetism in (Ga,Mn)As semiconductors

We report on a comprehensive combined experimental and theoretical study of Curie temperature trends in (Ga,Mn)As ferromagnetic semiconductors. Broad agreement between theoretical expectations and measured data allows us to conclude that T_c in high-quality metallic samples increases linearly with the number of uncompensated local moments on Mn_Ga acceptors, with no sign of saturation. Room temperature ferromagnetism is expected for a 10% concentration of these local moments. Our magnetotransport and magnetization data are consistnent with the picture in which Mn impurities incorporated during growth at interstitial Mn_I positions act as double-donors and compensate neighboring Mn_Ga local moments because of strong near-neighbor Mn_Ga-Mn_I antiferromagnetic coupling. These defects can be efficiently removed by post-growth annealing. Our analysis suggests that there is no fundamental obstacle to substitutional Mn_Ga doping in high-quality materials beyond our current maximum level of 6.2%, although this achievement will require further advances in growth condition control. Modest charge compensation does not limit the maximum Curie temperature possible in ferromagnetic semiconductors based on (Ga,Mn)As.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2005

Intrinsic and Extrinsic Contributions to the Lattice Parameter of GaMnAs

We report on measurements of the crystal structure and hole density in a series of as-grown and annealed GaMnAs samples. The measured hole densities are used to obtain the fraction of incorporated Mn atoms occupying interstitial and substitutional sites. This allows us to make a direct comparison of the measured lattice parameters with recent density functional theory (DFT) predictions. We find that the decrease in lattice constant observed on annealing is smaller than that predicted due to the out diffusion of interstitial Mn during annealing. The measured lattice parameters after annealing are still significantly larger than that of GaAs even in samples with very low compensation. This indicates that the intrinsic lattice parameter of GaMnAs is significantly larger than that of GaAs, in contradiction to the DFT prediction.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2004

Magnetism in (Ga,Mn)As Thin Films With TC Up To 173K

We have investigated the magnetic properties of (Ga,Mn)As thin films with Mn concentration between 1 and 9%. Ferromagnetic transition temperatures TC of up to 173K are observed. The results are compared to the predictions of the Zener mean-field theory. We find no evidence of a fundamental limit to TC.

cond-mat.str-el↗