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Study of MAX phase based Schottky interfacial structure: the case of electron-beam deposited epitaxial Cr2AlC film on p–Si (100)

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Abstract

In recent times, due to their highly stable and radiation tolerant nature, interest toward feasibility of developing MAX phase-based applications has suddenly surged. In this context, we for the first time report a comprehensive spin-dependent transport study of Cr2AlC@p–Si-based thin film interfacial structure. Phase purity of the fabricated epitaxial Cr2AlC thin film grown by electron-beam deposition was confirmed from structural, vibrational and elemental analysis. Transport studies showed n-type metallic nature of the deposited Cr2AlC films. Low-temperature transport/magnetic measurements across the interface have shown spin-dependent Schottky behavior. Our results demonstrate the potential of Cr2AlC@p–Si as a novel Schottky interfacial structure for the development of more complex device applications.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, India through Post-Doctoral fellowship [Grant No: OH-31-22-609-414]. Authors acknowledge Department of Physics, Banaras Hindu University, India for providing necessary support for sample fabrication and transport measurements and UGC, DAE Consortium, Indore, India for magnetic measurements. The author would also like to thank Prof. Tashi Nautiyal, Department of Physics, IIT Roorkee for her careful reading, suggestions and useful comments on the manuscript.

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  1. Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttarakhand, 247667, India

    Prayas Chandra Patel & Hem C. Kandpal

  2. Department of Physics, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, 221005, India

    Pankaj Kumar Mishra

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Patel, P.C., Mishra, P.K. & Kandpal, H.C. Study of MAX phase based Schottky interfacial structure: the case of electron-beam deposited epitaxial Cr2AlC film on p–Si (100). J Mater Sci 58, 4041–4053 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-023-08286-w

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