Tailoring the magnetoresistance of MnAs∕GaAs:Mn granular hybrid nanostructures

Abstract

The magnetoresistance properties of GaAs:Mn∕MnAs granular hybrid structures consisting of ferromagnetic MnAs clusters within a paramagnetic GaAs:Mn host differ considerably from those of paramagnetic and ferromagnetic (Ga,Mn)As alloys. We analyze the magnetoresistance effects on the basis of a resistor network model. Typical experimental findings are reproduced and their dependence on cluster density and random spatial arrangement of the clusters are revealed. Controlled spatial positioning of the MnAs clusters within the GaAs:Mn host offers interesting opportunities for optimizing the magnetoresistance properties for applications and for overcoming problems of miniaturization arising from cluster statistics.