Anisotropic magnetic properties of Co-doped SnO$_{2}$ thin films

There is strong interest in oxide magnetic semiconductors, which show not only room-temperature ferromagnetism (FM), but also other interesting magnetic properties. Large magnetic moments and anisotropic FM have been observed in Co-doped SnO$_{2}$ [1] and Co-doped ZnO [2], respectively. Here we report the preparation and magnetic properties of Co-doped SnO$_{2}$ (Sn$_{1-x}$Co$_{x}$O$_{2}$, x=0.05) thin films. Sn$_{1-x}$Co$_{x}$O$_{2}$ thin films were grown on different substrates by pulsed-laser deposition and characterized by X-ray diffraction and SQUID magnetometry, and their magnetic properties depend on the substrates on which the films are grown. Interestingly, the films grown on R-plane-cut Al$_{2}$O$_{3}$ show strongly anisotropic magnetic properties, with [101] being the easy axis. The anisotropy also depends on the substrate on which the films are grown. The results will be discussed in terms of spin-orbit coupling and crystalline defects. [1]. S. B. Ogale, et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 91, 077205 (2003). [2]. M. Venkatesan, et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 93, 77206 (2004).