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)
Hauptverfasser: Hihath, Sahar, Kiehl, Richard A., Benthem, Klaus van
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.
ISSN:0021-8979
1089-7550
DOI:10.1063/1.4893958