Dependence of Curie temperature on surface strain in InMnAs epitaxial structures

Pairs of self-assembled InMnAs quantum dot structures and reference epitaxial layers (0 < x < 0.13) were prepared on GaAs substrates by low-pressure metal organic vapour phase epitaxy. Magnetic moment measurements indicated that reference epitaxial layer had a Curie temperature of 343 K independent on the composition. On the other hand, the quantum dots prepared under Stranski–Krastanov growth mode from the identical gas phase composition showed a lower value of Curie temperature. This value varied from 41 to 235 K in relation to the material composition. Moiré fringes at transmission electron microscopy plan view were used for characterization of strain in InMnAs quantum dot structures.