Information on ion–solid interactions obtained through magnetization measurements

We explore an analogy between (i) beam attenuation in projectile-electron-loss cross section measurements and (ii) beam-induced exponential decay of magnetization in Ga1−xMnxAs. Cross sections are experimentally determined to quantify the effect of the passage of a projectile through a thin film of Ga1−xMnxAs and the displacement of a Mn atom substitutional to Ga. The MnGa atoms have magnetic properties that are used in this work to selectively access ion–Mn collisions while ignoring interactions between projectile and the rest of solid atoms. The physical interpretation of these measured cross sections is discussed considering the roles played by direct projectile–Mn interactions and by energetic recoils.