Limits on the Curie temperature of (III,Mn)V ferromagnetic semiconductors

Abstract

Mean-field-theory predicts that the Curie temperature T_c of a (III,Mn)V ferromagnet will be proportional to the valence band density-of-states of its host (III,V) semiconductor, suggesting a route toward room-temperature ferromagnetism in this materials class. In this Letter, we use theoretical estimates of spin-wave energies and Monte-Carlo simulations to demonstrate that long-wavelength collective fluctuations, neglected by mean-field theory, will limit the critical temperature in large density-of-states materials. We discuss implications for high T_c searches.

4 pages, 3 figures included, version to appear in Applied Physics Letters