Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Sputter Growth and Characterization of Metamagnetic B2-ordered FeRh Epilayers
Published on: October 5, 2013
Ferromagnetism and electronic structures of nonstoichiometric Heusler-alloy Fe3-xMnxSi Epilayers grown on Ge(111)
K Hamaya1, H Itoh, O Nakatsuka
1Department of Electronics, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan. hamaya@ed.kyushu-u.ac.jp
Abstract:
For the study of ferromagnetic materials which are compatible with group-IV semiconductor spintronics, we demonstrate control of the ferromagnetic properties of Heusler-alloy Fe3-xMnxSi epitaxially grown on Ge(111) by tuning the Mn composition x. Interestingly, we obtain L2(1)-ordered structures even for nonstoichiometric atomic compositions. The Curie temperature of the epilayers with x approximately 0.6 exceeds 300 K. Theoretical calculations indicate that the electronic structures of the nonstoichiometric Fe3-xMnxSi alloys become half-metallic for 0.75 < or = x < or = 1.5. We discuss the possibility of room-temperature ferromagnetic Fe(3-x)Mn(x)Si/Ge epilayers with high spin polarization.
Related Concept Videos
Ferromagnetism
Colors and Magnetism
When atoms or molecules absorb light at the proper frequency, their electrons are excited to higher-energy orbitals. For many main group atoms and molecules, the absorbed photons are in the ultraviolet range of the electromagnetic spectrum, which cannot be detected by the human eye. For coordination compounds, the energy difference between the d orbitals often allows photons in the visible range to be absorbed and emitted, which is seen as colors by the human eye.
Metallic Solids
All metallic solids exhibit high thermal and electrical conductivity, metallic luster, and malleability. Many...
Valence Bond Theory
Crystal Field Theory - Octahedral Complexes
To explain the observed behavior of transition metal complexes (such as colors), a model involving electrostatic interactions between the electrons from the ligands and the electrons in the unhybridized d orbitals of the central metal atom has been developed. This electrostatic model is crystal field theory (CFT). It helps to understand, interpret, and predict the colors, magnetic behavior, and some structures of coordination compounds of transition metals.
CFT focuses on...
