Based on first-principles calculations, we have studied the occurrence of spin polarization in the magnetic metal oxide SnO2 doped with nonmagnetic nitrogen (N) impurities. It was found that the local magnetic moments are localized mainly on the N dopant, causing a total moment of 0.95μB per cell. The long-range magnetic coupling of N-doped SnO2 may be attributed to a p-p coupling interaction between the N impurity and host valence states.
Sponsorship
Science Foundation Ireland
Irish Research Council for Science, Engineering and Technology