Diluted magnetic semiconductors based on Sb2-xVxTe3 (0.01≤x≤0.03) -: art. no. 115212

We report on a diluted magnetic semiconductor based on the Sb2Te3 tetradymite structure doped with very low concentrations of vanadium (1-3 at. %). The anomalous transport behavior and robust magnetic hysteresis loops observed in magnetotransport and magnetic measurements are experimental manifestations of the ferromagnetic state in these materials. The p-d exchange between holes and vanadium 3d spins is estimated from the behavior of the magnetoresistance. A Curie temperature of at least 22 K is observed for Sb1.97V0.03Te3. This discovery offers possibilities for exploring magnetic properties of other tetradymite structure semiconductors doped with a wide range of 3d transition metals.