Theory of the $sp-d$ coupling of transition metal impurities with free carriers in ZnO

TL;DR

This study uses density functional theory to analyze the complex $s,p-d$ exchange interactions between transition metal dopants and carriers in ZnO, revealing charge state and orbital hybridization effects.

Contribution

It provides detailed insights into the variability and sign dependence of $p-d$ coupling constants across different transition metals in ZnO, highlighting the role of orbital hybridization.

Findings

$p-d$ coupling constants vary significantly from V to Cu.

The sign of $N_0eta$ depends on dopant charge state.

$s-d$ coupling constant $N_0eta$ is highly variable and sign-changing for different TM ions.

Abstract

The $s,p-d$ exchange coupling between the spins of band carriers and of transition metal (TM) dopants ranging from Ti to Cu in ZnO is studied within the density functional theory. The $+U$ corrections are included to reproduce the experimental ZnO band gap and the dopant levels. The $p-d$ coupling reveals unexpectedly complex features. In particular, (i) the $p-d$ coupling constants $N_0\beta$ vary about 10 times when going from V to Cu, (ii) not only the value but also the sign of $N_0\beta$ depends on the charge state of the dopant, (iii) the $p-d$ coupling with the heavy holes and the light holes is not the same; in the case of Fe, Co and Ni, $N_0\beta$s for the two subbands can differ twice, and for Cu the opposite sign of the coupling is found for light and heavy holes. The main features of the $p-d$ coupling are determined by the $p-d$ hybridization between the $d$(TM) and $p$(O) orbitals. In contrast, the $s-d$ coupling constant $N_0\alpha$ is almost the same for all TM ions, and does not depend on the charge state of the dopant. The TM-induced spin polarization of the $p$(O) orbitals contributes to the $s-d$ coupling, enhancing $N_0\alpha$.