Ferromagnetic Properties of Spark-Processed Photoluminescing Silicon
AbstractMagnetic properties of photoluminescing spark-processed silicon (sp-Si) have been investigated for the first time. Contrary to the diamagnetic signal known for bulk silicon, sp-Si displays a paramagnetic resonance as well as a ferromagnetic hysterisis loop. The paramagnetic resonance was studied using an EPR system and showed a high concentration of at least two distinct paramagnetic centers. One center can be eliminated by annealing in Ultra-High Purity nitrogen for 30 minutes at 600 °C. Measurements utilizing a SQUID magnetometer revealed that sp-Si displays ferromagnetic ordering with a saturization magnetization occuring at low fields. This is attributed to the high density of paramagnetic centers. Temperature dependent measurements were performed to establish possible links between magnetic properties and the luminescence of sp-Si.