Session A15: Metals: 1D, 2D, 3D

8:00 AM–11:00 AM, Monday, March 13, 2006
Baltimore Convention Center - 311

Sponsoring Unit: DCMP
Chair: Duane Johnson, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

Abstract ID: BAPS.2006.MAR.A15.10

Abstract: A15.00010 : Optical conductivity of MnN: a combined experimental and theoretical study.

9:48 AM–10:00 AM

Preview Abstract

Authors:

  Walter R. L. Lambrecht
    (Case Western Reserve University)

  S. Granville
  B. J. Ruck
  F. Budde
  A. Koo
  J. E. Downes
  H. J. Trodahl
    (Victoria University of Wellington)

  A. Bittar
  N. Strickland
  G. V. M. Williams
    (Industrial Research Limited, Lower Hutt, NZ)

  Timothy Learmont
  Kevin E. Smith
    (Boston University)

  V. J. Kennedy
  A. Markwitz
    (Inst. Geol. and Nuclear Sciences, Lower Hutt, NZ)

A comparison between measured and calculated optical conductivity is presented for MnN films prepared by ion assisted deposition. X-ray diffraction and extended x-ray absorption fine structure show the films to be nanocrystalline but phase pure. X-ray emission spectroscopy of the N K-edge and X-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy of the N K- and Mn L-edges are used to probe the occupied and empty densities of states, which compare well with the N-2p and Mn-3d partial densities of states calculated using the linearized muffin-tin orbital method. The optical conductivity was measured by spectroscopic ellipsometry/reflectivity in the infared to UV range. The major differences between calculated and measured spectra can be understood on the basis of a limited electron mean-free-path in these nanocrystalline films, which relaxes the momentum conservation requirement. The calculated optical functions are analyzed in terms of their dominant band-to-band contributions including the polarization dependence. The temperature dependent conductivity shows a clear metallic behaviour and a weak Kondo-like low temperature anomaly.

To cite this abstract, use the following reference: http://meetings.aps.org/link/BAPS.2006.MAR.A15.10