Magnetic properties of n-type Cu-doped ZnO thin films

A series of n-type Zn1-xCuxO (x=0.02, 0.06, 0.10, and 0.12) films was prepared using direct current reactive magnetron sputtering. Magnetic measurements indicate that all the films are ferromagnetic at room temperature and the moment per Cu ion decreases with increasing copper concentration and nitrogen doping. The observed magnetic moment was 1.8 mu(B)/Cu for Zn0.98Cu0.02O film and the transition temperature of about 350 K decreased to 320 K due to nitrogen doping. It can be concluded that itinerant electrons play an important role in ferromagnetism. The resistivity increased with increasing copper concentration and nitrogen doping. The anomalous Hall effect has been found for ferromagnetic materials. (c) 2007 American Institute of Physics.