Spin-orientation-dependent spatial structure of a magnetic acceptor state in a zinc-blende semiconductor

The spin orientation of a magnetic dopant in a zinc-blende semiconductor strongly influences the spatial structure of an acceptor state bound to the dopant. The acceptor state has a roughly oblate shape with the short axis aligned with the dopant's core spin. For a Mn dopant in GaAs the local density of states at a site 8 {} away from the dopant can change by 90% when the Mn spin orientation changes. These changes in the local density of states could be probed by scanning tunneling microscopy to infer the dopant's spin orientation.