Investigation of the Magnetic Ground State in SmN

Rare earth binary nitrides of the form RN typically form in a rocksalt structure are predicted to be ferromagnetic semiconductors. The ground state of samarium nitride (SmN) in particular has recently become of interest due to varying reports of antiferromagnetism [1], ferromagnetism, and superconductivity [2] from varying concentrations of nitrogen vacancies inducing a metal-insulator transition. Advances in high-pressure floating zone techniques now allow for bulk crystalline samples of SmN to be prepared, and in this talk, we will present a study of the bulk electronic properties of this compound. In particular, the peculiarities of SmN as a ferromagnetic material with a near-zero magnetic moment will be discussed and the impact of this state on the magnetotransport response of the system.

[1] D. P. Schumacher and W. E. Wallace, Inorg. Chem. 5 (9), 1563-1567 (1966).

[2] Anton et al., Phys. Rev. B 94, 024106 (2016).