Ferromagnetic Europium Sulfide Thin Films: Influence of Precursors on Magneto-Optical Properties

Publikation: Beitrag in FachzeitschriftForschungsartikelBeigetragenBegutachtung

Beitragende

  • Sebastian M.J. Beer - , Ruhr-Universität Bochum (Autor:in)
  • Arbresha Muriqi - , University College Cork (Autor:in)
  • Patrick Lindner - , Technische Universität (TU) Dortmund (Autor:in)
  • Manuela Winter - , Ruhr-Universität Bochum (Autor:in)
  • Detlef Rogalla - , Ruhr-Universität Bochum (Autor:in)
  • Michael Nolan - , University College Cork (Autor:in)
  • Andreas Ney - , Johannes Kepler Universität Linz (Autor:in)
  • Jörg Debus - , Technische Universität (TU) Dortmund (Autor:in)
  • Anjana Devi - , Ruhr-Universität Bochum (Autor:in)

Abstract

Europium sulfide (EuS) thin films are appealing as ferromagnetic semiconductors and luminescent and optomagnetic materials owing to their unique functional properties. With the emerging field of spintronics and magneto-optical devices, chemical vapor deposition (CVD) offers a versatile platform to tune the material properties and the method to fabricate device structures needed for such applications. Herein, we report the growth of high-quality cubic EuS via a versatile CVD process where the new Eu(III) precursors employed facilitate the formation of the target EuS layers under moderated process conditions. Based on the prior evaluation of the physicochemical properties of these precursors using thermal analysis and density functional theory studies, adequate volatility, thermal stability, and sufficient reactivity toward potential co-reactants, namely, elemental sulfur, could be inferred. Thus, the use of toxic hydrogen sulfide generally needed for sulfide film depositions could be avoided, which is a significant advantage in terms of simplifying the deposition process. The as-deposited thin films were analyzed in terms of the structure, composition, and morphology, revealing highly oriented polycrystalline and stoichiometric EuS films. UV/vis measurements yielded a band gap of around 1.6 eV, and Raman spectroscopy exhibited a coupling between the phonons and electron spin systems of EuS. These findings, together with the soft ferromagnetic character of the films derived from semiconducting quantum interference device measurements, signify the potential of CVD-grown EuS for future technological applications.

Details

OriginalspracheEnglisch
Seiten (von - bis)152-164
Seitenumfang13
FachzeitschriftChemistry of materials
Jahrgang34
Ausgabenummer1
PublikationsstatusVeröffentlicht - 11 Jan. 2022
Peer-Review-StatusJa
Extern publiziertJa