Ion Irradiation Control of Ferromagnetism in (Ga,Mn)As

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that Ga$^+$ ion irradiation can precisely modify the ferromagnetic properties of (Ga,Mn)As, such as magnetic anisotropy and Curie temperature, by altering hole concentration and exchange interactions at micro- or nano-scale.

Contribution

It introduces a novel ion irradiation technique to control ferromagnetism in (Ga,Mn)As, enabling micro- or nano-scale property modifications.

Findings

Ferromagnetic properties can be tuned via Ga$^+$ ion irradiation.

Hole concentration changes are verified with micro-Raman spectroscopy.

The method allows precise control of magnetic properties at small scales.

Abstract

We report on a promising approach to the artificial modification of ferromagnetic properties in (Ga,Mn)As using a Ga$^+$ focused ion beam (FIB) technique. The ferromagnetic properties of (Ga,Mn)As such as magnetic anisotropy and Curie temperature can be controlled using Ga$^+$ ion irradiation, originating from a change in hole concentration and the corresponding systematic variation in exchange interaction between Mn spins. This change in hole concentration is also verified using micro-Raman spectroscopy. We envisage that this approach offers a means of modifying the ferromagnetic properties of magnetic semiconductors on the micro- or nano-meter scale.