Reversible ferromagnetic spin ordering governed by hydrogen in Co-doped ZnO semiconductor

We report a reversible manipulation of short-range spin ordering in Co-doped ZnO through hydrogenation and dehydrogenation processes. In both magnetic-circular dichroism and superconducting quantum interference device measurements, the ferromagnetism was clearly induced and removed by the injection and ejection of hydrogen, respectively. The x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results and the first-principles electronic structure calculations consistently support the dependence of the ferromagnetism on the hydrogen position and the contribution of transition metal ions. The results suggest the ferromagnetic interaction between Co ions can be reversibly controlled by the hydrogen-mediated intrinsic spin ordering in Co doped ZnO.