Synthesis and characterization of thin films of Zn-Mn-Al-O system obtained by PLD

M. G. FURLANI; C. I. ZANDALAZINI; C. I. VIÑA; M. I. OLIVA

Centro Atómico Constituyentes, Buenos Aires

Congreso; At the Frontiers of Condensed Matter V; 2010

Among semiconductor II-IV compounds, oxide zinc (ZnO) is one of the most promising for technological applications for its optical, electrical, piezoelectric and magnetic properties. In particular ZnO films exhibit unique properties that are appropriate for devices and magnet-optics applications. Incorporating aluminum and manganese allows obtaining a material known as diluted magnetic semiconductor (DMS) that continues showing a high bandwidth prohibited, retains its transparency in the visible range and is able to generate a magnetic order at room temperature. Starting from precursors ZnO, MnO2 and Al2O3, the following powders were obtained by conventional ceramic method: ZnO+ 3% wt. Al, ZnO +2% at. Mn, ZnO + 2% at. Mn +3% wt. Al and ZnO + 5% at. Mn + 3% wt. Al. These materials cold pressed to make the targets employees in pulsed laser deposition (LDP). (Deposits were made using a Nd-YAG (532 nm) laser in atmosphere oxygen on a substrate (SI 100) / SiO2/nitrile) at 450 ºC. The structural, magnetic and chemical properties of powders and films were compared. Zinc oxide is detected in all films. Contrary to expectations, ferromagnetic ordering has not been detected, in films.