Structural and magnetic properties of nanoclusters in GaMnAs granular layers

Structural and magnetic properties of GaAs thin films with embedded nanoclusters were investigated as a function of the annealing temperature and Mn content. Surprisingly, the presence of two kinds of nanoclusters with different structure was detected in most of the samples independently of the thermal processing or Mn content. This proved that the presence of a given type of clusters cannot be assumed a priori as is reported in many papers. The fraction of Mn atoms in each kind of cluster was estimated from the extended X-ray absorption fine structure analysis. This analysis ruled out the possibility of the existence of nanoclusters containing a hypothetic MnAs cubic compound—only (Ga,Mn)As cubic and hexagonal MnAs clusters were detected. Moreover the bimodal distribution of Mn magnetic moments was found, which scales with the estimated fraction of Mn atoms in the cubic and hexagonal clusters.

After thermal processing of GaMnAs layers the clear evidence of formation of clusters with two structures is provided, which scales with the Mn magnetic moment. The structure of clusters cannot be a priori assumed as it is commonly done. Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► Granular GaMnAs layers in the function of Mn content and thermal processing were studied.
► Five independent methods provided clear evidence of two types of cluster formation.
► The magnetic moment of clusters scale with fraction of Mn in given type of clusters.
► Formed in all samples cubic clusters consist of GaMnAs not cubic MnAs.
► Commonly used processing does not provide clusters with one crystalline structure.