PNNL

Abstract

Co doped TiO2 anatase is a promising candidate dilute magnetic semiconductor (DMS). DMS materials have potential applications in spintronics devices. These utilize the spin of carriers, and offer the promise of new devices with enhanced functionality. The application of DMS materials to spintronics is as spin injectors. These materials can have spin-polarized states in their valence or conduction bands. At interfaces with nonmagnetic semiconductors they can then be used for spin polarized carrier injection, allowing for the fabrication of novel devices utilizing spin. Theory and measurements indicate that they can be much more efficient spin injectors than ferromagnetic metals. This report describes some recent XAFS studies of these materials using the PNC-CAT beamlines at the APS.