Catalytic Growth of N-doped MgO on Mo(001)

TL;DR

This paper presents a straightforward method to grow N-doped MgO thin films on Mo(001) substrates, revealing their insulating nature and N-induced electronic states, which could be significant for magnetic and electronic applications.

Contribution

It introduces a new catalytic growth pathway for N-doped MgO films on Mo(001), demonstrating their insulating properties and N-induced electronic states.

Findings

MgO:N films are insulating as shown by scanning tunneling spectroscopy.

N-doped MgO exhibits an electronic state slightly below the conduction band.

The growth method utilizes Mo(001) catalytic properties in a mixed O2 and N2 atmosphere.

Abstract

A simple pathway to grow thin films of N-doped MgO (MgO:N), which has been found experimentally to be a ferromagnetic d0 insulator, is presented. It relies on the catalytic properties of a Mo(001) substrate using growth of Mg in a mixed atmosphere of O2 and N2. Scanning tunneling spectroscopy reveals that the films are insulating and exhibit an N-induced state slightly below the conduction band minimum.