MBE Growth and Physical Properties of Cr₂Te₃ Thin Films

In this thesis work, single crystal Cr2Te3 thin films were successfully grown by the Molecular Beam Epitaxy technique. Crystal structure characterizations and chemical composition analyses were done on these materials. Corresponding analyses were conducted to uncover their novel physical properties. Ferromagnetic ordering and Anti-ferromagnetic ordering was confirmed to co-exist in the as–grown Cr2Te3 thin film samples. Perpendicular magnetic anisotropy effect was found on them. The Curie temperature of Cr2Te3 was enhanced by increasing the electron concentration and a relationship between the Curie temperature and the c-lattice parameter of Cr2Te3 was found. Curie temperature of Cr2Te3 grown on sapphire can be improved up to room temperature. The substrate plays a key role...[ Read more ]