Ferromagnetic GaAs/GaMnAs Core−Shell Nanowires Grown by Molecular Beam Epitaxy

Abstract

GaAs/GaMnAs core-shell nanowires were grown by molecular beam epitaxy. The core GaAs nanowires were synthesized under typical nanowire growth conditions using gold as catalyst. For the GaMnAs shell the temperature was drastically reduced to achieve low-temperature growth conditions known to be crucial for high-quality GaMnAs. The GaMnAs shell grows epitaxially on the side facets of the core GaAs nanowires. A ferromagnetic transition temperature of 20 K is obtained. Magnetic anisotropy studies indicate a magnetic easy axis parallel to the nanowire axis.