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C. B. Fitzgerald

Bio: C. B. Fitzgerald is an academic researcher from Trinity College, Dublin. The author has contributed to research in topics: Ferromagnetism & Magnetization. The author has an hindex of 12, co-authored 18 publications receiving 6561 citations.

Papers
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is proposed thatferromagnetic exchange here, and in dilute ferromagnetic nitrides, is mediated by shallow donor electrons that form bound magnetic polarons, which overlap to create a spin-split impurity band.
Abstract: Dilute ferromagnetic oxides having Curie temperatures far in excess of 300 K and exceptionally large ordered moments per transition-metal cation challenge our understanding of magnetism in solids. These materials are high-k dielectrics with degenerate or thermally activated n-type semiconductivity. Conventional super-exchange or double-exchange interactions cannot produce long-range magnetic order at concentrations of magnetic cations of a few percent. We propose that ferromagnetic exchange here, and in dilute ferromagnetic nitrides, is mediated by shallow donor electrons that form bound magnetic polarons, which overlap to create a spin-split impurity band. The Curie temperature in the mean-field approximation varies as (xdelta)(1/2) where x and delta are the concentrations of magnetic cations and donors, respectively. High Curie temperatures arise only when empty minority-spin or majority-spin d states lie at the Fermi level in the impurity band. The magnetic phase diagram includes regions of semiconducting and metallic ferromagnetism, cluster paramagnetism, spin glass and canted antiferromagnetism.

2,743 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
05 Aug 2004-Nature
TL;DR: It is shown that thin films of hafnium dioxide (HfO2), an insulating oxide better known as a dielectric layer for nanoscale electronic devices, can be ferromagnetic even without doping.
Abstract: It is generally accepted that magnetic order in an insulator requires the cation to have partially filled shells of d or f electrons. Here we show that thin films of hafnium dioxide (HfO2), an insulating oxide better known as a dielectric layer for nanoscale electronic devices, can be ferromagnetic even without doping. This discovery challenges our understanding of magnetism in insulators, because neither Hf4+ nor O2- are magnetic ions and the d and f shells of the Hf4+ ion are either empty or full.

1,046 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Results are interpreted in terms of a spin-split donor impurity-band model, which can account for ferromagnetism in insulating or conducting high-k oxides with concentrations of magnetic ions that lie far below the percolation threshold.
Abstract: Room-temperature ferromagnetism is observed in (110) oriented ZnO films made from targets containing 5 at. % of Sc, Ti, V, Fe, Co, or Ni, but not Cr, Mn, or Cu ions. There are large moments, $2.6{\ensuremath{\mu}}_{B}$ and $0.5{\ensuremath{\mu}}_{B}/\mathrm{\text{dopant atom}}$ for Co- and Ti-containing oxides, respectively. There is also a moment of $0.3{\ensuremath{\mu}}_{B}/\mathrm{S}\mathrm{c}$. Magnetization is very anisotropic, with variations of up to a factor of 3 depending on the orientation of the applied field relative to the substrate. Results are interpreted in terms of a spin-split donor impurity-band model, which can account for ferromagnetism in insulating or conducting high-$k$ oxides with concentrations of magnetic ions that lie far below the percolation threshold. Magnetic moments are associated with two-electron defects in the films as well as unpaired electrons of the $3d$ ions.

979 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, Ferromagnetic coupling of ferric ions via an electron trapped in a bridging oxygen vacancy (F center) is proposed to explain the high Curie temperature.
Abstract: Thin films grown by pulsed-laser deposition from targets of Sn0.95Fe0.05O2 are transparent ferromagnets with Curie temperature and spontaneous magnetization of 610 K and 2.2 A m2 kg−1, respectively. The 57Fe Mossbauer spectra show the iron is all high-spin Fe3+ but the films are magnetically inhomogeneous on an atomic scale, with only 23% of the iron ordering magnetically. The net ferromagnetic moment per ordered iron ion, 1.8 μB, is greater than for any simple iron oxide with superexchange interactions. Ferromagnetic coupling of ferric ions via an electron trapped in a bridging oxygen vacancy (F center) is proposed to explain the high Curie temperature.

868 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In terms of substrate area it is typically in the range $150--400\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}{\ensuremath{\mu}}_{\mathrm{B}}\phanthem{nm}}^{-}2} as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: Thin films of ${\mathrm{HfO}}_{2}$ produced by pulsed-laser deposition on sapphire, yttria-stabilized zirconia, or silicon substrates show ferromagnetic magnetization curves with little hysteresis and extrapolated Curie temperatures far in excess of $400\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K}$. The moment does not scale with film thickness, but in terms of substrate area it is typically in the range $150--400\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}{\ensuremath{\mu}}_{\mathrm{B}}\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}{\mathrm{nm}}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$. The magnetization exhibits a remarkable anisotropy, which depends on texture and substrate orientation. Pure ${\mathrm{HfO}}_{2}$ powder develops a weak magnetic moment on heating in vacuum, which is eliminated on annealing in oxygen. Lattice defects are the likely source of the magnetism.

399 citations


Cited by
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the basic theoretical aspects of graphene, a one-atom-thick allotrope of carbon, with unusual two-dimensional Dirac-like electronic excitations, are discussed.
Abstract: This article reviews the basic theoretical aspects of graphene, a one-atom-thick allotrope of carbon, with unusual two-dimensional Dirac-like electronic excitations. The Dirac electrons can be controlled by application of external electric and magnetic fields, or by altering sample geometry and/or topology. The Dirac electrons behave in unusual ways in tunneling, confinement, and the integer quantum Hall effect. The electronic properties of graphene stacks are discussed and vary with stacking order and number of layers. Edge (surface) states in graphene depend on the edge termination (zigzag or armchair) and affect the physical properties of nanoribbons. Different types of disorder modify the Dirac equation leading to unusual spectroscopic and transport properties. The effects of electron-electron and electron-phonon interactions in single layer and multilayer graphene are also presented.

20,824 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is proposed thatferromagnetic exchange here, and in dilute ferromagnetic nitrides, is mediated by shallow donor electrons that form bound magnetic polarons, which overlap to create a spin-split impurity band.
Abstract: Dilute ferromagnetic oxides having Curie temperatures far in excess of 300 K and exceptionally large ordered moments per transition-metal cation challenge our understanding of magnetism in solids. These materials are high-k dielectrics with degenerate or thermally activated n-type semiconductivity. Conventional super-exchange or double-exchange interactions cannot produce long-range magnetic order at concentrations of magnetic cations of a few percent. We propose that ferromagnetic exchange here, and in dilute ferromagnetic nitrides, is mediated by shallow donor electrons that form bound magnetic polarons, which overlap to create a spin-split impurity band. The Curie temperature in the mean-field approximation varies as (xdelta)(1/2) where x and delta are the concentrations of magnetic cations and donors, respectively. High Curie temperatures arise only when empty minority-spin or majority-spin d states lie at the Fermi level in the impurity band. The magnetic phase diagram includes regions of semiconducting and metallic ferromagnetism, cluster paramagnetism, spin glass and canted antiferromagnetism.

2,743 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A review of surface science studies of single crystal surfaces, but selected studies on powder and polycrystalline films are also incorporated in order to provide connecting points between surface sciences studies with the broader field of materials science of tin oxide as discussed by the authors.

2,232 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Recent experimental and theoretical developments are reviewed, emphasizing that they not only disentangle many controversies and puzzles accumulated over the past decade but also offer new research prospects.
Abstract: In 2000, a seminal study predicted ferromagnetism above room temperature in diluted magnetic semiconductors and oxides, fuelling tremendous research activity that has lasted for a decade. Tomasz Dietl reviews the progress in understanding these materials over the past ten years, with a view to the future of semiconductor spintronics.

1,208 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The progress made in the properties of dielectric nanosheets is reviewed, highlighting emerging functionalities in electronic applications and a perspective on the advantages offered by this class of materials for future nanoelectronics.
Abstract: Two-dimensional (2D) nanosheets, which possess atomic or molecular thickness and infinite planar lengths, are regarded as the thinnest functional nanomaterials. The recent development of methods for manipulating graphene (carbon nanosheet) has provided new possibilities and applications for 2D systems; many amazing functionalities such as high electron mobility and quantum Hall effects have been discovered. However, graphene is a conductor, and electronic technology also requires insulators, which are essential for many devices such as memories, capacitors, and gate dielectrics. Along with graphene, inorganic nanosheets have thus increasingly attracted fundamental research interest because they have the potential to be used as dielectric alternatives in next-generation nanoelectronics. Here, we review the progress made in the properties of dielectric nanosheets, highlighting emerging functionalities in electronic applications. We also present a perspective on the advantages offered by this class of materials for future nanoelectronics.

958 citations