Magnetic behavior of (MnN)1/(AlN)1, (MnN)1/(GaN)1, and (MnN)1/(InN)1 superlattices

Abstract Using density functional theory, we have studied the electronic and magnetic properties of zinc blende (MnN) 1 /(AlN) 1 , (MnN) 1 /(GaN) 1 , and (MnN) 1 /(InN) 1 superlattice in the (0 0 1) direction. We demonstrate the possibility to obtain half-metallic ferromagnets in (MnN) 1 /(GaN) 1 , and (MnN) 1 /(InN) 1 and (MnN) 1/ (AlN) 1 with a total magnetic moment close to 8 μ B . The analysis of the partial density of states reveals that ferromagnetism can be explained by the strong p – d hybridization of N and Mn atoms. The magnetism comes essentially from the d orbitals of Mn atoms, and to less extent from the interstitial region.