Zn0.9Co0.1O-based diluted magnetic semiconducting thin films

Here we report a systematic study of structural, optical, and magnetic measurements on epitaxial Zn0.9Co0.1O films grown on c-plane sapphire single crystal, at various temperatures (500-650°C), using pulsed-laser deposition. The main emphasis in this work has been on the correlation of microstructure with properties, specifically with magnetic properties and the fate of cobalt ions into substitutional sites versus precipitates. The reasons for room-temperature ferromagnetism are explored, and convincingly proved to be one of the inherent properties of the material. Most importantly, the presence of nanoclusters of any magnetic phase was ruled out. This was determined by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, coupled with electron energy loss spectroscopy and STEM-Z (scanning transmission electron microscopy-atomic number) contrast studies.