Structure and magnetic properties of CuIn1-xTxTe2 (T=Co,Mn)

Abstract

The crystal structures, magnetic and optical properties of the 3d transition metals of Co or Mn doped CuInTe2 have been investigated using X-ray diffraction, magnetic measurements, ultraviolet and visible spectrophotometers. It is found that CuIn1-xTxTe2 (T=Co, Mn) crystallize in tetragonal chalcopyrite structure in a doping range of x=0-0.2. The structural analyses show that the 3d transition metal of Mn or Co prefers to occupy the 4b crystal position. Mn-doped CuIn1-xMnxTe2 (x=0-0.3) show paramagnetic characteristics at room temperature with the susceptibilities of about 10-5. However, lightly Co-doping into CuIn1-xCoxTe2 shows ferromagnetism at room temperature under a low applied field. This phenomenon is suggested to result from the spin-spin interactions between Co atoms which lead to the ferromagnetism. CuIn0.9Co0.1Te2 with ferromagnetism at room temperature under a low field revealed in this work indicates that it a good candidate for photovoltaic cells application since its bandgap matches well with that of CuIn1-xGaxSe2 with high conversion efficiency.