Structural and magnetic properties of manganese and phosphorus codoped ZnO films on (0001) sapphire substrates

ZnO films doped with manganese (Mn) and phosphorus (P) are grown on (0001) sapphire substrates by pulsed laser deposition at different temperatures and oxygen pressures. The structural and magnetic properties of the codoped ZnO films are carefully investigated. Experimental results demonstrate that p-type conduction is necessary for the observation of ferromagnetism in Mn+P codoped ZnO films at room temperature. A distinct aging effect is observed, which is likely due to the instability of p-type conduction of Mn+P codoped ZnO films. (c) 2006 American Institute of Physics.