In situ photoemission study of the room-temperature ferromagnet ZnGeP₂:Mn

The chemical states of the ZnGeP$_{2}$:Mn interface, which shows ferromagnetism above room-temperature, has been studied by photoemission spectroscopy. Mn deposition on the ZnGeP$_2$ substrate heated to 400$^{\circ}$C induced Mn substitution for Zn and then the formation of metallic Mn-Ge-P compounds. Depth profile studies have shown that Mn 3$d$ electrons changed their character from itinerant to localized along the depth, and in the deep region, dilute divalent Mn species ($\textless$ 5 % Mn) was observed with a coexisting metallic Fermi edge of non-Mn 3$d$ character. The possibility of hole doping through Mn substitution for Ge and/or Zn vacancy is discussed.