(Ba1−xKx)(Cu2−xMnx)Se2: A copper-based bulk form diluted magnetic semiconductor with orthorhombic BaCu2S2-type structure

A new copper-based bulk form diluted magnetic semiconductor (DMS) (Ba1−xKx)(Cu2−xMnx)Se2 (x=0.075, 0.10, 0.125, and 0.15) with TC ∼18 K has been synthesized. K substitution for Ba introduces hole-type carriers, while Mn substitution for Cu provides local spins. Different from previous reported DMSs, this material crystallizes into orthorhombic BaCu2S2-type crystal structure. No ferromagnetism is observed when only doping Mn, and clear ferromagnetic transition and hysteresis loop have been observed as K and Mn are codoped into the parent compound BaCu2Se2.