Ferromagnetic, structurally disordered ZnO implanted with Co ions

TL;DR

This paper reports the creation of superparamagnetic, structurally disordered Co-Zn-O clusters in ZnO crystals via ion implantation, which exhibit properties suitable for magneto-electronics despite being undetectable by standard x-ray diffraction.

Contribution

It demonstrates the formation of superparamagnetic Co-Zn-O clusters in ZnO using high fluence ion implantation and links their structural disorder to magnetic and electronic properties.

Findings

Clusters are superparamagnetic and structurally disordered.

Induces low-field anomalous Hall effect.

Detected by high-resolution TEM, not X-ray diffraction.

Abstract

We present superparamagnetic clusters of structurally highly disordered Co-Zn-O created by high fluence Co ion implantation into ZnO (0001) single crystals at low temperatures. This secondary phase cannot be detected by common x-ray diffraction but is observed by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. In contrast to many other secondary phases in a ZnO matrix it induces low-field anomalous Hall effect and thus is a candidate for magneto-electronics applications.