Ferromagnetic-like magnetic interactions in Ge1-x-ySixMnyTe multiferroics

IV-VI materials doping with magnetic impurities presents exciting opportunities for spintronic applications particularly by incorporating the memory component in the semiconducting matrix. The proposed work investigates carrier mediated magnetic interactions in GeTe lattice alloyed with Mn ions. We present Ge1-x-ySixMnyTe bulk crystals having a chemical composition of Si, x = 0.057, 0.053 and Mn, y = 0.035, 0.041 to explore the dominant magnetic interactions in these crystals. The results show that magnetic phase transition temperature for both crystals is closer to 170 K, with the Curie-Weiss temperature () calculated as 171 K for y = 0.035 and 172.8 K for y = 0.041, indicating ferromagnetic-like interactions amongst Mn ions. An increase in Mn content from y = 0.035 to 0.041, the maxima of susceptibility cusp amplify about an order of magnitude. Modified Curie-Weiss law fits on susceptibility inverse finds ferromagnetic-like interaction in the alloys. Additionally, high field magnetization data was used for calculating the number of active magnetic ions in semiconductor matrix. •Scrutinizing the magnetic properties of Ge1-x-ySixMnyTe crystals for Si (x = 0.057 and 0.053), and Mn (y = 0.035 and 0.041).•The positive Curie-Weiss temperature calculated from Modified Curie-Weiss fits reveals ferromagnetic-like interactions.•Magnetization hysteresis shows small coercivity and increasing saturation magnetization with higher Mn content at low temperature.