Paramagnetism and antiferromagnetic d–d coupling in GaMnN magnetic semiconductor

Abstract

The magnetization of Ga1−xMnxN (x<0.1) crystals was measured as a function of the magnetic field and temperature. Paramagnetic behavior typical of spin S=5/2 expected for Mn2+ (d5) magnetic centers was observed in the temperature range of 2 K<T<300 K. On the other hand, antiferromagnetic coupling between Mn ions was clearly visible. The nearest neighbor (NN) coupling constant JNN/kB=−1.9 K was estimated from the temperature dependence of the magnetization.