Antiferromagnetism in epilayers and superlattices containing zinc-blende MnSe and MnTe

Abstract

New zinc-blende Mn-based magnetic semiconductors offer unique insights into the magnetic order and critical behavior of frustrated antiferromagnets. Molecular beam epitaxy grown samples exist both in the form of strained superlattices, with strain induced anisotropies (MnSe/ZnSe and MnTe/ZnTe), and in the form of near-isotropic bulk MnTe. The tetragonally distorted strained superlattices exhibit a second-order phase transition, consistent with symmetry arguments favoring such behavior. In contrast, the bulk-like epitaxial layers of MnTe have a first-order phase transition, associated with magnetostriction, unknown to an unaccounted for by the previous studies.