Ferromagnetism in transparent thin films of MgO

We show both theoretical and experimental evidences of the appearance of ferromagnetism in MgO thin films. First-principles calculations allow predicting the possibility of the formation of a local moment in MgO, provided the existence of Mg vacancies which create holes on acceptor levels near the O...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Martínez Boubeta, José Carlos, Beltrán, J. I., Balcells i Argemí, Lluís, Konstantinović, Zorica, Valencia, S., Schmitz, D., Arbiol i Cobos, Jordi, Estradé Albiol, Sònia, Cornil, J., Martínez Perea, Benjamin
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2010
País:España
Institución:Varias* (Consorci de Biblioteques Universitáries de Catalunya, Centre de Serveis Científics i Acadèmics de Catalunya)
Repositorio:Recercat. Dipósit de la Recerca de Catalunya
OAI Identifier:oai:recercat.cat:2445/33086
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/2445/33086
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Pel·lícules fines
Ferromagnetisme
Òxid de magnesi
Espintrònica
Thin films
Ferromagnetism
Magnesium oxide
Spintronics
Descripción
Sumario:We show both theoretical and experimental evidences of the appearance of ferromagnetism in MgO thin films. First-principles calculations allow predicting the possibility of the formation of a local moment in MgO, provided the existence of Mg vacancies which create holes on acceptor levels near the O 2p-dominated valence band. Magnetic measurements evidence of the existence of room-temperature ferromagnetism in MgO thin films. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy demonstrates the existence of cation vacancies in our samples. Finally, by applying the element specificity of the x-ray magnetic circular dichroism technique, we also demonstrate that the magnetic moments of the system arise from the spin polarization of the 2p electrons of oxygen atoms surrounding Mg vacancies.