Diluted magnetic semiconductors (DMS):

Magnetic ions are introduced into a non-magnetic semiconductor host

Typically substitute for the cation as 2+-ions, e.g. Mn²⁺ (high spin, S = 5/2)

II-VI semiconductors (excluding oxides)
(Cd,Mn)Te, (Zn,Mn)Se, (Be,Mn)Te… zinc-blende structure
studied extensively in 70's, 80's

Mn²⁺ is isovalent → low carrier concentration

• usually paramagnetic or spin-glass
(antiferromagnetic superexchange)

• ferromagnetism hard to achieve by
additional homogeneous doping

• ferromagnetic at T < 4 K employing
modulation p-doping (acceptors and
Mn in different layers):
Haury et al., PRL 79, 511 (1997)