Effect of N doping on magnetic properties of (Zn, Mn)O thin films deposited by radio frequency magnetron sputtering

We report on the experimental observation of enhanced room temperature ferromagnetism in N co-doped (Zn, Mn)O. (Zn, Mn)O thin films were prepared by radio frequency magnetron sputtering with Ar and various N2 flow rates in the gas mixture. Magnetic measurements of the (Zn, Mn)O films showed room temperature hysteresis and revealed an obvious improvement in magnetization in (Zn, Mn)O thin films deposited in a N2-containing sputtering ambient as compared to control samples without N. The effects of nitrogen on the structural, optical, and magnetic properties of (Zn, Mn)O thin films are analyzed using high resolution x-ray diffraction, optical absorption, and a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID).