Cr Moment Coupling in Cr-containing Diamond-like Carbon Thin Films

Structural and magnetic properties of the Cr-doped hydrogenated diamond-like carbon (Cr-DLC) and chromium carbide hydrogenated diamond-like carbon alloy thin films were investigated. Results showed promising magnetic and spintronics application. Diodes were constructed using the silicon substrate as the n-type material and Cr-DLC film as the p-type material for a wide range of Cr concentrations and temperatures. At low chromium content a high capacitance was observed, limiting the properties of the heterojunction device, however, at high Cr concentration, a large coefficient of negative magneto-resistance was observed even at room temperature, suggesting the possibility for a spintronic application. This negative magneto-resistance effect may be related to the coexistence of various material phases including chromium carbide.