Theoretical calculation of half-metallic ferromagnetism in Al1-xVxN compound

Abstract

Using the first-principles in the framework of density functional theory, the structural properties, electronic structure, and magnetism of V-doped aluminum nitride (AlN) were investigated. The calculations were carried out using the method based on pseudopotential, employed exactly as implemented in Quantum ESPRESSO code. For (x = 6.25%) Al 0.9375 V 0.0625 N and (x = 12.5%) Al 0.875 V 0.125 N concentrations, a half-metallic behavior with 100% carrier spin polarization of the conduction carriers in the ground state was found. The calculations showed that the substitution of a V atom at the Al site (Al 0.9375 V 0.0625 N compound) introduces a magnetic moment of 2.0 μ B , while two V atom substitutions (Al 0.875 V 0.125 N compound) introduce a magnetic moment of 4.0 μ B. These magnetic properties came from hybridization and polarization of states V-3d and their first neighboring Al-2p and first neighboring N-2p atoms. The calculated magnetic properties indicate that V-doped AlN compound can potentially be used in diluted magnetic semiconductors or as spin injectors.