Possible spin gapless semiconductor type behaviour in CoFeMnSi epitaxial thin films

Abstract

Spin-gapless semiconductors with their unique band structure have recently attracted much attention due to their interesting transport properties that can be utilized in spintronics applications. We have deposited the thin films of a quaternary spin-gapless semiconductor CoFeMnSi Heusler alloy on MgO (001) substrates using a pulsed laser deposition system. These films show epitaxial growth along the (001) direction and display a uniform and smooth crystalline surface. The magnetic properties reveal that the film is ferromagnetically soft along the in-plane direction and its Curie temperature is well above 400 K. The electrical conductivity of the film is low and exhibits a nearly temperature independent semiconducting behaviour. The estimated temperature coefficient of resistivity for the film is –7 × 10–10 Ω m/K, which is comparable to the values reported for spin-gapless semiconductors.