Magnetic anisotropy in GaP(001) epilayers containing MnP nanoclusters observed by angle dependent ferromagnetic resonance measurements

Abstract

We report on the angular dependence of ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) of GaP(001) epilayers with embedded MnP nanoclusters (GaP:MnP) grown on a GaP(001) substrate using metal-organic vapor phase epitaxy (MOVPE). Angle dependent FMR spectra obtained at 292K show several peaks and indicate a strong magnetic anisotropy. The measured angular dependence of resonance fields can be modeled assuming that the MnP clusters possess a strong biaxial magnetocrystalline anisotropy whose axes are oriented along specific GaP crystallographic directions. Dominant populations of MnP clusters have their b-axis along GaP [111] and [111¯] directions, while a smaller population has the b-axis along the GaP [001] direction. In comparison, angle dependent FMR spectra of a polycrystalline MnP thin film grown on a GaP(001) substrate using MOVPE suggest that the crystals b-axis is oriented favorably along the GaP [001] direction.