High temperature magnetism and microstructure of semiconducting ferromagnetic alloy (GaSb)$_{1-x}$(MnSb)$_{x}$

TL;DR

This study investigates thick GaSb-MnSb alloy films showing room temperature ferromagnetism and anomalous Hall effect, with properties influenced by MnSb inclusions, using various microscopy techniques and pulsed laser deposition.

Contribution

It demonstrates the room temperature magnetic and magnetotransport properties of GaSb-MnSb films are primarily determined by MnSb inclusions, with detailed microstructural analysis.

Findings

Ferromagnetism observed above room temperature.

Anomalous Hall effect indicates spin-polarized carriers.

Microstructure shows homogenous bulk with MnSb near surface.

Abstract

We have studied the properties of relatively thick (about 120 nm) magnetic composite films grown by pulsed laser deposition method using (GaSb)$_{0.59}$(MnSb)$_{0.41}$ eutectic compound as a target for sputtering. For the studied films we have observed ferromagnetism and anomalous Hall effect above the room temperature, it manifests the presence of spin-polarized carriers. Electron microscopy, atomic and magnetic force microscopy results suggests that films under study have homogenous columnar structure in the bulk while MnSb inclusions accumulate near it's surface. This is in good agreement with high mobility values of charge carriers. Based on our data we conclude that room temperature magnetic and magnetotransport properties of the films are defined by MnSb inclusions.