Possible applications of (III,Mn)V ferromagnetic semiconductors foroptoelectronic devices

摘要

We discuss possible applications of (III,Mn)V ferromagnetic semiconductors as novel magneto-optical devices foroptoelectronics. These materials systems possess several distinguishing characteristics that make them attractivecandidates for such applications. Processing technology for III-V compound semiconductors is very well established andcan be employed for these materials. Illumination with light can induce much stronger changes in their electronic,magnetic, and optoelectronic properties than in ferromagnetic metals. Furthermore, electric-field-tunable magnetization,by utilizing the strong spin-orbit coupling in these materials, may lead to entirely new functionalities unachievable withconventional magneto-optical materials. We present some CW magneto-optical Kerr effect spectroscopy results for(III,Mn)V samples and discuss their potential for magneto-optical device applications.