Interface composition between Fe3O4 nanoparticles and GaAs for spintronic applications
Recent interest in spintronic applications has necessitated the study of magnetic materials in contact with semiconductor substrates; importantly, the structure and composition of these interfaces can influence both device functionality and the magnetic properties. Nanoscale ferromagnet/semiconducto...
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Veröffentlicht in: | Journal of applied physics 2014-08, Vol.116 (8) |
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Hauptverfasser: | , , |
Format: | Artikel |
Sprache: | eng |
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Zusammenfassung: | Recent interest in spintronic applications has necessitated the study of magnetic materials in contact with semiconductor substrates; importantly, the structure and composition of these interfaces can influence both device functionality and the magnetic properties. Nanoscale ferromagnet/semiconductor structures are of particular interest. In this study, the interface structure between a monolayer of ferromagnetic magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles and a GaAs substrate was studied using cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy techniques. It was found that a continuous amorphous oxide interface layer separates the nanoparticles from the GaAs substrate, and that iron diffused into the interface layer forming a compositional gradient. Electron energy-loss near-edge fine structures of the O K absorption edge revealed that the amorphous oxide is composed of γ-Fe2O3 directly underneath the Fe3O4 nanoparticles, followed by a solid solution of Ga2O3 and FeO and mostly Ga2O3 when approaching the buckled oxide/substrate interface. Real-space density functional theory calculations of the dynamical form factor confirmed the experimental observations. The implication of the findings on the optimization of these structures for spin injection is discussed. |
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ISSN: | 0021-8979 1089-7550 |
DOI: | 10.1063/1.4893958 |