Ferromagnetic structurally disordered ZnO implanted with Co ions

We present superparamagnetic clusters of structurally highly disordered Co–Zn–O created by high fluence Co ion implantation into ZnO (0001) single crystals at low temperatures. This secondary phase cannot be detected by common x-ray diffraction but is observed by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. In contrast to many other secondary phases in a ZnO matrix, it induces low-field anomalous Hall effect and is thus a candidate for magnetoelectronics applications.