Ferromagnetic Europium Sulfide Thin Films: Influence of Precursors on Magneto-Optical Properties
- Sebastian M. J. Beer
Sebastian M. J. BeerInorganic Materials Chemistry, Ruhr University Bochum, Universitätsstr. 150, 44801 Bochum, GermanyMore by Sebastian M. J. Beer
- ,
- Arbresha Muriqi
Arbresha MuriqiTyndall National Institute, University College Cork, Lee Maltings, T12 R5CP Cork, IrelandMore by Arbresha Muriqi
- ,
- Patrick Lindner
Patrick LindnerExperimental Physics 2, TU Dortmund University, Otto-Hahn-Str. 4a, 44227 Dortmund, GermanyMore by Patrick Lindner
- ,
- Manuela Winter
Manuela WinterInorganic Materials Chemistry, Ruhr University Bochum, Universitätsstr. 150, 44801 Bochum, GermanyMore by Manuela Winter
- ,
- Detlef Rogalla
Detlef RogallaRUBION, Ruhr University Bochum, Universitätsstr. 150, 44801 Bochum, GermanyMore by Detlef Rogalla
- ,
- Michael Nolan
Michael NolanTyndall National Institute, University College Cork, Lee Maltings, T12 R5CP Cork, IrelandMore by Michael Nolan
- ,
- Andreas Ney
Andreas NeyInstitute of Semiconductor and Solid State Physics, Johannes Kepler University, Altenberger Str. 69, 4040 Linz, AustriaMore by Andreas Ney
- ,
- Jörg Debus
Jörg DebusExperimental Physics 2, TU Dortmund University, Otto-Hahn-Str. 4a, 44227 Dortmund, GermanyMore by Jörg Debus
- , and
- Anjana Devi*
Anjana Devi*Email: [email protected]Inorganic Materials Chemistry, Ruhr University Bochum, Universitätsstr. 150, 44801 Bochum, GermanyMore by Anjana Devi
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.
Cited By
This article is cited by 2 publications.
- Liang Li, Yuqi Chen, Junbao He, Aiguo Zhou. The Influence of Yb Doping and Sintering Conditions on the Magnetocaloric and Mechanical Properties of EuS. Molecules 2022, 27 (17) , 5660. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27175660
- Mahmoud Zeer, Dongwook Go, Johanna P. Carbone, Tom G. Saunderson, Matthias Redies, Mathias Kläui, Jamal Ghabboun, Wulf Wulfhekel, Stefan Blügel, Yuriy Mokrousov. Spin and orbital transport in rare-earth dichalcogenides: The case of EuS 2 . Physical Review Materials 2022, 6 (7) https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevMaterials.6.074004