Diffuse x-ray scattering from inclusions in ferromagneticGe1−xMnxlayers

Nanoscale characterization of compound semiconductors using laser-pulsed atom probe tomography

“…String-like arrangements of Mn-rich clusters were found (Figure 3), oriented in the growth direction, with concentrations of 10-20% Mn at their centres. These observations are consistent with earlier characterization by TEM and X-ray diffraction [20], but provide new insights into the nanostructure that offer greater consistency with the magnetic and electrical characteristics. …”

Strain and correlation of self-organizedGe1−xMnxnanocolumns embedded in Ge (001)

“…Two peaks can be seen in the 'Bragg-GISAXS' image: one (with d ≈ 40 nm) corresponding to the surface roughness correlation (as shown in Fig.1d, and already reported by Holỳ et al 22 ) and another (with d ≈ 8 nm) corresponds to the average distance between neighboring columns, as shown in Fig.1b. Moreover, the latter peak exhibits fringes with a period corresponding to the thickness of the GeMn layer (60 nm), which is only possible because the columns are continuous over the whole thickness of the layer.…”

“…15,16,19,26,32,33,[36][37][38] In terms of structural properties, the relationship between the GeMn layer and the Mn 5 Ge 3 clusters is now well known. 22,34,35 Although information about the local environment around Mn atoms has already been reported, 39 the understanding of the structural properties of continuous GeMn nanocolumns and their surrounding matrix is not complete.…”

Self-assembled Mn5Ge3 nanomagnets close to the surface and deep inside a Ge1−xMnx epilayer

“…13 The magnetic properties of Ge 1−x Mn x layers with a small Mn content of few percent are substantially influenced by inhomogeneities of the distribution of Mn atoms in the Ge host lattice. Depending on the substrate temperature during molecular beam epitaxial ͑MBE͒ growth, coherent cubic Mn-rich clusters 7,14 or ferromagnetic hexagonal Mn 5 Ge 3 precipitates can occur. 6,14 Ways leading to a controlled formation 1 and alignment of these nanomagnets embedded in a nonmagnetic semiconductor matrix will be necessary to tune the magnetic properties of the whole DMS.…”

“…Thiscan be only explained by precipitates located more than 10 nm away from the layer surface, which is also confirmed by TEM studies, where Mn 5 Ge 3 precipitates were found only close to the Ge-layer-Ge-substrate interface. 6,14 These are denoted as buried precipitates.…”