Magnetism in Cobalt doped Cu2O thin films without and with Al, V, Zn codopants

TL;DR

This study investigates the effects of codoping Cu2O thin films with cobalt and additional elements like Al, V, or Zn, revealing that only Al codoping induces room-temperature ferromagnetism, with structural and magnetic properties analyzed.

Contribution

It demonstrates that Al codoping in Co-doped Cu2O thin films induces room-temperature ferromagnetism, a novel finding in the context of these materials.

Findings

Only Al codoping results in room-temperature ferromagnetism.

Co-doped films without codoping exhibit spin glass behavior.

All films maintain phase purity under optimal growth conditions.

Abstract

Thin films of 5 % Co doped Cu2O were grown on single crystal (001) MgO substrates by pulsed laser deposition, without and with 0.5 % codoping with Al, V or Zn. Structural, electrical, and magnetic properties were studied. The films showed phase pure character under the chosen optimum growth conditions. Spin glass like behavior was observed in Co doped films without codoping. A clear ferromagnetic signal at room temperature was found only in the case of Co:Cu2O films codoped with Al.