A possible mechanism for high-temperature ferromagnetic order in Si:Mn alloys is proposed. These materials, which are semiconducting or metallic, depending on the Mn content, are suggested to undergo phase separation. In the phase-separated state, again depending on the Mn content, Mn atoms can be gathered within nanometer-sized particles or micrometer-sized islands composed of the MnSi2-z precipitate with z(0.25-0.30), which are embedded in the Mn-poor silicon matrix. We consider the MnSi2-z precipitate to be the MnSi1.7 silicide host containing a certain amount of magnetic defects associated with unbound Mn 3d orbitals. The MnSi1.7 silicide is considered to be a weak itinerant ferromagnet, where sizable spin fluctuations (paramagnons) exist far above its intrinsic Curie temperature, leading to a strong enhancement of the exchange coupling between the local moments of the defects. As a result, a significant enhancement of the temperature of onset of long-range order among the local moments may be achieved. We associate this temperature with the global Curie temperature of the precipitate. A phenomenological model is developed to determine the spatial structures and characteristics of ferromagnetic order for the cases of a bulk precipitate and of precipitate particles of various shapes. Moreover, allowing for the presence of strong quenched disorder in the precipitate, we describe short-range ferromagnetic order in the system. Experimental data on Si:Mn alloys are interpreted on the basis of our theoretical results. © 2011 American Physical Society.
High-temperature ferromagnetism in Si:Mn alloys / V. n., Menshov; V. v., Tugushev; Caprara, Sergio; E. v., Chulkov. - In: PHYSICAL REVIEW. B, CONDENSED MATTER AND MATERIALS PHYSICS. - ISSN 1098-0121. - 83:3(2011), pp. 035201-1-035201-13. [10.1103/physrevb.83.035201]
High-temperature ferromagnetism in Si:Mn alloys
CAPRARA, SERGIO;
2011
Abstract
A possible mechanism for high-temperature ferromagnetic order in Si:Mn alloys is proposed. These materials, which are semiconducting or metallic, depending on the Mn content, are suggested to undergo phase separation. In the phase-separated state, again depending on the Mn content, Mn atoms can be gathered within nanometer-sized particles or micrometer-sized islands composed of the MnSi2-z precipitate with z(0.25-0.30), which are embedded in the Mn-poor silicon matrix. We consider the MnSi2-z precipitate to be the MnSi1.7 silicide host containing a certain amount of magnetic defects associated with unbound Mn 3d orbitals. The MnSi1.7 silicide is considered to be a weak itinerant ferromagnet, where sizable spin fluctuations (paramagnons) exist far above its intrinsic Curie temperature, leading to a strong enhancement of the exchange coupling between the local moments of the defects. As a result, a significant enhancement of the temperature of onset of long-range order among the local moments may be achieved. We associate this temperature with the global Curie temperature of the precipitate. A phenomenological model is developed to determine the spatial structures and characteristics of ferromagnetic order for the cases of a bulk precipitate and of precipitate particles of various shapes. Moreover, allowing for the presence of strong quenched disorder in the precipitate, we describe short-range ferromagnetic order in the system. Experimental data on Si:Mn alloys are interpreted on the basis of our theoretical results. © 2011 American Physical Society.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
