Magnetic properties of Sn/1-x/Cr/x/Te diluted magnetic semiconductors

TL;DR

This study investigates the magnetic properties of Sn/1-x/Cr/x/Te diluted magnetic semiconductors, revealing cluster formation, a transition to an ordered state around 130-140 K, and a spin-glass-like behavior influenced by Cr content.

Contribution

It provides new insights into the magnetic behavior and phase transitions in Cr-doped SnTe semiconductors at low doping levels.

Findings

Clusters form even at low Cr concentrations

Transition to ordered magnetic state occurs between 130-140 K

Spin-glass-like behavior is observed and shifts with Cr content

Abstract

We present the studies of Sn/1-x/Cr/x/Te semimagnetic semiconductors with chemical composition x ranging from 0.004 to 0.012. The structural characterization indicates that even at low average Cr-content x < ?0.012, the aggregation into micrometer size clusters appears in our samples. The magnetic properties are affected by the presence of clusters. In all our samples we observe the transition into the ordered state at temperatures between 130 and 140 K. The analysis of both static and dynamic magnetic susceptibility data indicates that the spin-glass-like state is observed in our samples. The addition of Cr to the alloy seems to shift the spin-glass-like transition from 130 K for x = 0.004 to 140 K for x = 0.012.