X-ray absorption and magnetic circular dichroism characterization of a novel ferromagnetic MnNx phase in Mn/Si3N4 multilayers

DOI: 10.1063/1.3050534

Authors: E. Céspedes (CSIC) , Y. Huttel (CSIC) , L. Martinez (CSIC) , A. De Rés (CSIC) , J. Chaboy (Universidad de Zaragoza) , M. Villa (University of Aveiro) , C. Prieto (CSIC) , N. D. Telling (Daresbury Laboratory) , G. Van Der Laan (Diamond Light Source)
Co-authored by industrial partner: No

Type: Journal Paper
Journal: Applied Physics Letters , VOL 93 (25) , PAGES 252506-1/3

State: Published (Approved)
Published: December 2008

Abstract: Ferromagnetism above room temperature has been observed in Mn/Si 3 N 4 multilayered films for the first time. Characterization of the structural and electronic properties was performed to study the ferromagnetic behavior of this system. X-ray absorption spectroscopy at the Mn?K and L edges, as well as x-ray magnetic circular dichroism, evidences the presence of divalent Mn in the films.X-ray absorption near edge structure measurements, which are compared to calculations, confirms the presence of a slightly distorted Mn 3 N 2 phase that is proposed to be the origin of the ferromagnetism in this system.

Journal Keywords: Powder Diffraction; Extinction Symbol Determination; Space-Group Determination; Probabilistic Methods.

Subject Areas: Physics


Instruments: NONE-No attached Diamond beamline