From a non-magnet to a ferromagnet: Mn implantation into different TiO2 structures

As one of the most promising candidates for a diluted magnetic oxide material for spintronic and magneto optic applications, transition metal (TM) doped titanium dioxide (TiO2) has been extensively studied for last two decades. Up to date room temperature ferromagnetism (RTFM) has been reported for different types of TM dopants and also different types of preparation methods, such as ion implantation [1] or magnetron sputtering [2]. There is an ongoing debate on the origin of the ferromagnetic properties of TiO2, whether RTFM arises from unwanted clustering of the TM atoms, magnetic contamination from sample handling or the desired substitution of Ti by the TM dopants.
We have investigated Mn implanted TiO2 films with respect to the effect of the crystalline structure of the pristine film on the magnetic properties of the doped films. The films were prepared by DC magnetron sputtering using a high purity oxygen deficient ceramic TiO2-x target in Ar/O2 atmosphere. SrTiO3 (100) single crystals were used as substrates. In order to achieve different structures of TiO2, namely amorphous, polycrystalline anatase and epitaxial anatase, different substrate temperatures and post-growth annealing were applied. The as-prepared TiO2 samples have been implanted with Mn ions of 30 keV to 190 keV kinetic energy and variable fluence resulting in a homogenous Mn concentration of 5 at.% within a 150 nm thin layer below the film surface.
The structural changes upon implantation were followed by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements. Comparison of the diffraction patterns indicates ion-induced damage in the epitaxial film and the formation of Mn containing secondary phases in the polycrystalline material. Depth resolved defect concentration profiles of as-grown and Mn implanted films were determined by means positron annihilation spectroscopy (PAS) measurements based on Doppler broadening spectroscopy. Magnetometry measurements of Mn implanted films reveal ferromagnetism for amorphous and polycrystalline films whereas paramagnetism is observed for epitaxial films. The local environments of implanted Mn ions in different TiO2 structures were probed by X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) in fluorescence mode.
In summary, we have found a significant influence of the as-grown film structure on the magnetic properties of Mn:TiO2. During the presentation the PAS and XAS data will be discussed with respect to the presence of defects and secondary phases in the Mn doped TiO2 films.