ABSTRACT
Impressive changes in the transport and ferromagnetic properties of Co-doped ZnO thin films have been obtained by postgrowth hydrogen irradiation at temperatures of 400 °C. Hydrogen incorporation increases the saturation magnetization by one order of magnitude (up to â¼1.50 µB/Co) and increases the carrier density and mobility by about a factor of two. In addition to the magnetic characterization, the transport and structural properties of hydrogenated ZnO:Co have been investigated by Hall effect, local probe conductivity measurements, micro-Raman, and X-ray absorption spectroscopy. Particular care has been given to the detection of Co oxides and metal Co nanophases, whose influence on the increase in the transport and ferromagnetic properties can be excluded on the ground of the achieved results. The enhancement in ferromagnetism is directly related to the dose of H introduced in the samples. On the contrary, despite the shallow donor character of H atoms, the increase in carrier density n is not related to the H dose. These apparently contradictory effects of H are fully accounted for by a mechanism based on a theoretical model involving Co-VO (Co-O vacancy) pairs.
ABSTRACT
We investigate the local structure of ferromagnetic Zn(1-x)Co(x)O epilayers by coupling polarization-dependent x-ray absorption spectroscopy and ab initio calculations of selected defect structures. We give clear evidence of the presence of oxygen vacancies, located close to the Co atoms in a specific complex configuration. We also establish the upper concentration limit of metallic parasitic nanophases and their contribution to magnetism. Our results lead to the conclusion that oxygen vacancies play an important role in originating the high temperature ferromagnetism of Zn(1-x)Co(x)O.
