Magnetism and half-metallicity at the O surfaces of ceramic oxides

The occurrence of spin polarization at ZrO2, Al2O3 and MgO surfaces is proved by means of ab initio calculations within the density functional theory. Large spin moments, as high as 1.56 mu(B), develop at O-ended polar terminations, transforming the non-magnetic insulator into a half-metal. The magn...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Gallego, S., Beltrán Fínez, Juan Ignacio, Cerdá, J., Muñoz, María del Carmen
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2005
País:España
Institución:Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM)
Repositorio:Docta Complutense
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:docta.ucm.es:20.500.14352/51515
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/51515
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:537
Room-temperature
Semiconductor surfaces
Zirconica
Films
Growth
ZrO2
Microscopy.
Electricidad
Electrónica (Física)
Física del estado sólido
2202.03 Electricidad
2211 Física del Estado Sólido
Descripción
Sumario:The occurrence of spin polarization at ZrO2, Al2O3 and MgO surfaces is proved by means of ab initio calculations within the density functional theory. Large spin moments, as high as 1.56 mu(B), develop at O-ended polar terminations, transforming the non-magnetic insulator into a half-metal. The magnetic moments mainly reside in the surface oxygen atoms and their origin is related to the existence of 2p holes of well defined spin polarization at the valence band of the ionic oxide. The direct relation between magnetization and local loss of donor charge makes it possible to extend the magnetization mechanism beyond surface properties.