December 12, 2000

NC State Researchers Develop Room-Temperature Magnetic Semiconductor

Now a team of materials scientists at North Carolina State University has for the first time successfully developed a room-temperature magnetic semiconductor. Dr. Nadia A. El-Masry, professor of materials science and engineering; Dr. Salah M. Bedair, professor of electrical and computer engineering; Dr. Hans H. Stadelmaier, professor emeritus of materials science and engineering; and doctoral student Meredith L. Reed wanted to combine the advantages and functionality of magnetic behavior with semiconductor behavior in one materials system that would work at room temperature.

The NC State team did this by introducing manganese into a gallium nitride system. According to El-Masry, the temperature range within which the new material functions is 38 to 75 degrees Celsius. This room-temperature-and-above range opens a new world of possibilities for additional research on and practical applications for the novel material.

According to Bedair, magnetic behavior results in either clockwise or counterclockwise spin of the electrons. These magnetized semiconductors can offer a new binary system that would result in improved speed and functionality in computer applications. The injection and detection of spin-polarized current in semiconducting materials could combine magnetic storage of information with electronic readout in a single semiconductor device. Other applications for the future include lasers and light emitting diodes (LEDs) created by manipulating the emission wavelength through the application of a magnetic field.

-- rudd --

Technical Contact: Dr. Salah M. Bedair, bedair@eos.ncsu.edu, 919/515-5204
Media Contact: Linda E. Rudd, linda_rudd@ncsu.edu

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