Element specific characterization of heterogeneous magnetism in (Ga,Fe)N films

We employ x-ray spectroscopy to characterize the distribution and magnetism of particular alloy constituents in (Ga,Fe)N films grown by metal organic vapor phase epitaxy. Furthermore, photoelectron microscopy gives direct evidence for the aggregation of Fe ions, leading to the formation of Fe-rich nanoregions adjacent to the samples surface. A sizable x-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) signal at the Fe L-edges in remanence and at moderate magnetic fields at 300 K links the high temperature ferromagnetism with the Fe(3d) states. The XMCD response at the N K-edge highlights that the N(2p) states carry considerable spin polarization. We conclude that FeN{\delta} nanocrystals, with \delta > 0.25, stabilize the ferromagnetic response of the films.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, 1 tabl

Out-of-Plane Magnetic Anisotropy in Ordered Ensembles of Fey_yN Nanocrystals Embedded in GaN

Phase-separated semiconductors containing magnetic nanostructures are relevant systems for the realization of high-density recording media. Here, the controlled strain engineering of Ga$\delta$FeN layers with Fe$_y$N embedded nanocrystals (NCs) \textit{via} Al$_x$Ga$_{1-x}$N buffers with different Al concentration $0<x_\mathrm{Al}<41$\% is presented. Through the addition of Al to the buffer, the formation of predominantly prolate-shaped $\varepsilon$-Fe$_3$N NCs takes place. Already at an Al concentration $x_\mathrm{Al}$\,$\approx$\,5\% the structural properties---phase, shape, orientation---as well as the spatial distribution of the embedded NCs are modified in comparison to those grown on a GaN buffer. Although the magnetic easy axis of the cubic $\gamma$'-Ga$_y$Fe$_{4-y}$N nanocrystals in the layer on the $x_\mathrm{Al} = 0\%$ buffer lies in-plane, the easy axis of the $\varepsilon$-Fe$_3$N NCs in all samples with Al$_x$Ga$_{1-x}$N buffers coincides with the $[0001]$ growth direction, leading to a sizeable out-of-plane magnetic anisotropy and opening wide perspectives for perpendicular recording based on nitride-based magnetic nanocrystals.Comment: 29 pages, 10 figures, submitte

Experimental probing of exchange interactions between localized spins in the dilute magnetic insulator (Ga,Mn)N

The sign, magnitude, and range of the exchange couplings between pairs of Mn ions is determined for (Ga,Mn)N and (Ga,Mn)N:Si with x < 3%. The samples have been grown by metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy and characterized by secondary-ion mass spectroscopy; high-resolution transmission electron microscopy with capabilities allowing for chemical analysis, including the annular dark-field mode and electron energy loss spectroscopy; high-resolution and synchrotron x-ray diffraction; synchrotron extended x-ray absorption fine-structure; synchrotron x-ray absorption near-edge structure; infra-red optics and electron spin resonance. The results of high resolution magnetic measurements and their quantitative interpretation have allowed to verify a series of ab initio predictions on the possibility of ferromagnetism in dilute magnetic insulators and to demonstrate that the interaction changes from ferromagnetic to antiferromagnetic when the charge state of the Mn ions is reduced from 3+ to 2+.Comment: 12 pages, 14 figures; This version contains the detailed characterization of the crystal structure as well as of the Mn distribution and charge stat

Genetic differentiation in the Agave deserti (Agavaceae) complex of the Sonoran desert

The Agave deserti complex, comprising A. deserti, A. cerulata and A. subsimplex, represents a group of species and subspecies with a near allopatric distribution and clear differences in morphology. Genetic differentiation and taxonomic status with respect to spatial distribution of 14 populations of the complex were analyzed in an effort to understand the evolution and speciation process within the genus. Allelic frequencies, levels of genetic variation, expected heterozygosity (H S ), proportion of polymorphic loci (P), and genetic differentiation (y and Nei&apos;s genetic distance) were estimated using 41 putative RAPD loci. All three species show high levels of genetic variation (H S ¼ 0.12-0.29, P ¼ 63.4-95.1), and low genetic differentiation between populations and species (y populations ¼ 0.1470.02 (SE); G st ¼ 0.1170.02). Accordingly, gene flow among populations was estimated as high by three different methods (N m ¼ 2.91-6.14). Nei&apos;s genetic distances between the three species were low compared to the values obtained from other Agavaceae, and there was no clear correlation with taxonomic divisions. In a UPGMA analysis, A. subsimplex and A. cerulata formed exclusive monospecific clusters, whereas the A. deserti populations appear in more than one cluster together with other species. The results were consistent with a pattern of genetic isolation by distance