Growth and characterizations of ZnO and Co-doped ZnO films for their use in spintronic

Diluted Magnetic Semiconductors offer potential applications for spintronics. In this respect, Co-doped ZnO films are particularly interesting due to their Curie temperature. However, the origin of ferromagnetism is controversial. High quality Co-doped ZnO thin films have thusly been grown using the pulsed laser deposition technique on (001) Al₂O₃ substrates. Two series were made. In the first one, the films are grown using metallic targets whereas in the second one, the films are synthesized from ceramic targets. Detailed characterizations have been performed and a comparison have been made, in light of the literature.