Fe lattice sites, charge states, and spin dynamics in In0.10Ga0.90N following 57Mn+ implantation

O O. Mpatani (Materials Physics Research Institute, School of Physics, University of the Witwatersrand 1 , Johannesburg 2050,) H H. P. Gunnlaugsson (Science Institute, University of Iceland 2 , 107 Reykjavík,) D D. Naidoo (Materials Physics Research Institute, School of Physics, University of the Witwatersrand 1 , Johannesburg 2050,) R R. Adhikari (DAMTP, Centre for Mathematical Sciences, University of Cambridge 2 , Wilberforce Road, Cambridge CB3 0WA,) A A. Tarazaga Martín-Luengo (Institute of Semiconductor and Solid State Physics, Johannes Kepler University 3 , A-4040 Linz,) K K. Bharuth-Ram (Physics Department, Durban University of Technology 6 , Durban 4000,) R R. Mantovan (7 CNR-IMM, Unit of Agrate Brianza, Via Olivetti 2, 20864, Agrate Brianza (MB), Italy) K K. Johnston (EP Department, ISOLDE, CERN 8 , 1211 Geneva 23,) J J. Schell (EP Department, ISOLDE, CERN 8 , 1211 Geneva 23,) B B. Qi (Science Institute, University of Iceland 2 , 107 Reykjavík,) S S. Ólafsson (Science Institute, University of Iceland 2 , 107 Reykjavík,) H H. P. Gíslason (Science Institute, University of Iceland 2 , 107 Reykjavík,) G G. Peters (Materials Physics Research Institute, School of Physics, University of the Witwatersrand 1 , Johannesburg 2050,) P P. B. Krastev (Institute for Nuclear Research and Nuclear Energy, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences 10 , 1784 Sofia,) I I. Unzueta (Fisika Aplikatua Saila, Gipuzkoako Ingeniaritza Eskola, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) 11 , Europa Plaza 1, 20018 Donostia/San Sebastián,) D D. V. Zyabkin (Materials Physics Research Institute, School of Physics, University of the Witwatersrand 1 , Johannesburg 2050,) A A. Bonanni (Institute of Semiconductor and Solid State Physics, Johannes Kepler University 3 , A-4040 Linz,) H H. Masenda (Materials Physics Research Institute, School of Physics, University of the Witwatersrand 1 , Johannesburg 2050,)

Abstract

The lattice locations and charge states of dopants in a crystal structure influence the optical, electronic, or magnetic properties of doped semiconductors. In this study, Fe lattice sites and charge states in In0.10Ga0.90N are investigated by emission Mössbauer spectroscopy following 57Mn+ implantation at ISOLDE, CERN. Room temperature measurements confirmed the presence of both Fe2+ and Fe3+ ions. The iron atoms with a 2+ charge state occupied the In/Ga site near a nitrogen vacancy. Paramagnetic Fe3+ signatures were evident on the outer regions of the spectra, akin to metal oxides, GaN, and AlN. Slow spin–lattice relaxation characteristics of high-spin ferric iron were observed, following T2 dependence. However, the relaxation rates in In0.10Ga0.90N are significantly slower than those in GaN. This is attributed to the weaker spin–lattice coupling, modified local symmetry, and crystal field splitting related to alloy disorder, softening the lattice. The ability to manipulate the dopant’s spin dynamics via alloying offers promising pathways for controlling spin coherence in InGaN-based spintronics and quantum devices.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 138, Issue 23
Published December 21, 2025
ISSN 0021-8979
Publisher American Institute of Physics

Journal Info

Journal of Applied Physics

American Institute of Physics

ISSN: 0021-8979 Physical Sciences

Authors (18)

O

O. Mpatani

Materials Physics Research Institute, School of Physics, University of the Witwatersrand 1 , Johannesburg 2050,

H

H. P. Gunnlaugsson

Science Institute, University of Iceland 2 , 107 Reykjavík,

D

D. Naidoo

Materials Physics Research Institute, School of Physics, University of the Witwatersrand 1 , Johannesburg 2050,

R

R. Adhikari

DAMTP, Centre for Mathematical Sciences, University of Cambridge 2 , Wilberforce Road, Cambridge CB3 0WA,

A

A. Tarazaga Martín-Luengo

Institute of Semiconductor and Solid State Physics, Johannes Kepler University 3 , A-4040 Linz,

K

K. Bharuth-Ram

Physics Department, Durban University of Technology 6 , Durban 4000,

R

R. Mantovan

7 CNR-IMM, Unit of Agrate Brianza, Via Olivetti 2, 20864, Agrate Brianza (MB), Italy

K

K. Johnston

EP Department, ISOLDE, CERN 8 , 1211 Geneva 23,

J

J. Schell

EP Department, ISOLDE, CERN 8 , 1211 Geneva 23,

B

B. Qi

Science Institute, University of Iceland 2 , 107 Reykjavík,

S

S. Ólafsson

Science Institute, University of Iceland 2 , 107 Reykjavík,

H

H. P. Gíslason

Science Institute, University of Iceland 2 , 107 Reykjavík,

G

G. Peters

Materials Physics Research Institute, School of Physics, University of the Witwatersrand 1 , Johannesburg 2050,

P

P. B. Krastev

Institute for Nuclear Research and Nuclear Energy, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences 10 , 1784 Sofia,

I

I. Unzueta

Fisika Aplikatua Saila, Gipuzkoako Ingeniaritza Eskola, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) 11 , Europa Plaza 1, 20018 Donostia/San Sebastián,

D

D. V. Zyabkin

Materials Physics Research Institute, School of Physics, University of the Witwatersrand 1 , Johannesburg 2050,

A

A. Bonanni

Institute of Semiconductor and Solid State Physics, Johannes Kepler University 3 , A-4040 Linz,

H

H. Masenda

Materials Physics Research Institute, School of Physics, University of the Witwatersrand 1 , Johannesburg 2050,