In situ annealing of III1-xMnxV ferromagnetic semiconductors

Abstract

A systematic study of low temperature (LT) annealing III1-xMnxV of (Ga1-xMnxAs and Ga1-xMnxAs1-yPy) thin films in situ with different capping layers (Se, Te, or As) was carried out without exposure to the atmosphere. Experimental results show that a correct in situ annealing approach can lead to significant increases of the Curie temperature, carrier concentration, and magnetic moment, similar to the ex situ LT-annealing experiments achieved in earlier studies. Moreover, this approach allowed us to successfully deposit high-quality semiconductor layers on top of such in situ annealed films, demonstrating great potential for designing high quality III1-xMnxV-based multilayers for spintronic applications optimized by the benefits of the LT-annealing. Published by the AVS.