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F. Porrati, S. Barth, R. Sachser, F. Jungwirth, M. Eltsov, A. Frangakis, M. Huth:
"Binary Mn-Si nanostructures prepared by focused electron beam induced deposition from the precursor SiH₃Mn(CO)₅";
Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics, 51 (2018), 45; 1 - 7.

Mixed-metal carbonyls are a family of compounds which can be used to fabricate bimetallic nanostructures by means of focused electron beam induced deposition. In the present work, we show that silicon-metal alloys can be prepared by using silyl-metal carbonyls. In particular, we employ the SiH₃Mn(CO)₅ precursor to fabricate Mn-Si alloy nanowires, with composition of about 34 at% Mn, 17 at% Si, 31 at% C and 18 at% O, as revealed by energy dispersive x-ray analysis. Magnetotransport measurements are carried out on as-grown samples and on samples treated after-growth by low-energy electron irradiation. All the samples exhibit a quasi-metallic temperature-dependent behavior. Hall-effect measurements indicate either electron-like transport, for as-grown samples, or hole-like transport, for post-growth treated samples, respectively. Correspondingly, the charge carrier density increases from n≈10²⁰cm^-3 to n≈10²²cm^-3. We find a small negative transversal magnetoresistance, which depends on irradiation dose and temperature. Microstructural investigations carried out by transmission electron microscopy indicate that the samples are constituted by an amorphous Mn₂Si phase embedded in a carbonaceous matrix. Additionally, in treated samples a novel Mn₂SiO₄ spinel oxide phase is observed.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/1361-6463/aae2d3