GaAs-Fe3Si Semiconductor–Ferromagnet Core–Shell Nanowires for Spintronics

This chapter presents an overview of the fabrication and properties of such GaAs-Fe₃Si Semiconductor–ferromagnet core–shell nanowires (SFCSNW). SFCSNW hybrid structures were grown by molecular beam epitaxy and analyzed by scanning and transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Mossbauer spectroscopy, superconducting quantum interference device magnetometry, and magnetic force microscopy. SFCSNW with a high-quality ferromagnet like the binary Heusler alloy Fe₃Si are regarded as promising candidates to enable the fabrication of new forward-looking devices in the field of spintronics and magnetic recording. Spintronics is based on the generation, manipulation, and detection of spin-polarized currents. Among other techniques for generation and detection, all-electrical spin-injection and detection is regarded as the only technique that is suitable for large-scale device production. Scanning electron microscopy images of as-grown SFCSNWs and close-up images of the middle part of single NW. Magnetization of the SFCSNWs oriented perpendicular to the substrate forming nano-bar magnets can indeed be achieved.