Constraints on proximity-induced ferromagnetism in a Dirac semimetal (Cd3As2)/ferromagnetic semiconductor (Ga1-xMnxSb) heterostructure

Arpita Mitra, Run Xiao, Wilson Yanez, Yongxi Ou, Juan Chamorro, Tyrel McQueen, Alexander J. Grutter, Julie A. Borchers, Michael R. Fitzsimmons, Timothy R. Charlton, Nitin Samarth

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Breaking time-reversal symmetry in a Dirac semimetal Cd3As2 through doping with magnetic ions or by the magnetic proximity effect is expected to cause a transition to other topological phases (such as a Weyl semimetal). To this end, we investigate the possibility of proximity-induced ferromagnetic ordering in epitaxial Dirac semimetal (Cd3As2)/ferromagnetic semiconductor (Ga1-xMnxSb) heterostructures grown by molecular beam epitaxy. We report the comprehensive characterization of these heterostructures using structural probes (atomic force microscopy, x-ray diffraction, scanning transmission electron microscopy), angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, electrical magnetotransport, magnetometry, and polarized neutron reflectometry. Measurements of the magnetoresistance and Hall effect in the temperature range 2-20 K show signatures that could be consistent with either a proximity effect or spin-dependent scattering of charge carriers in the Cd3As2 channel. Polarized neutron reflectometry sets constraints on the interpretation of the magnetotransport studies by showing that (at least for temperatures above 6 K) any induced magnetization in the Cd3As2 itself must be relatively small (<14emu/cm3).

Original languageEnglish
Article number094201
JournalPhysical Review Materials
Volume7
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2023
Externally publishedYes

Funding

This work was supported by the Institute for Quantum Matter under DOE EFRC Grant No. DE-SC0019331 (A.M., R.X., J.C., T.M., N.S.). The Penn State Two-Dimensional Crystal Consortium Materials Innovation Platform (2DCC-MIP) under NSF Grant No. DMR-2039351 provided support for ARPES measurements (Y.O., N.S.). W.Y. acknowledges support from the Penn State Materials Research Science and Engineering Center for Nanoscale Science under NSF Grant No. DMR-2011839. Certain commercial products or company names are identified here to describe our study adequately. Such identification is not intended to imply recommendation or endorsement by the National Institute of Standards and Technology nor is it intended to imply that the products or names identified are necessarily the best available for the purpose.

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