Native defect induced charge and ferromagnetic spin ordering and coexisting electronic phases in CoO epitaxial thin film

Abstract

We report on the observation of Co vacancy (VCo) induced charge ordering and ferromagnetism in CoO epitaxial thin film. The ordering is associated with the coexistence of commensurate, incommensurate, and discommensurate electronic phases. Density functional theory calculation indicates the origin of ordering in Co atoms undergoing high spin to low spin transition immediately surrounding the VCo(16.6 at. %). Electron magnetic chiral dichroism experiment confirms the ferromagnetic signal at uncompensated Co spins. Such a native defects induced coexistence of different electronic phases at room temperature in a simple compound CoO is unique and adds to the richness of the field with the possibility of practical device application.