YbN: An intrinsic semiconductor with antiferromagnetic exchange

We present a study of the structural, conducting, magnetic, and optical properties of YbN thin films. Magnetic measurements reveal an antiferromagnetic Curie-Weiss temperature dependence. We find the temperaturedependent resistivity and carrier concentration to be indicative of YbN being semiconducting in nature. Along with this we observe an absorption onset at 1.5 eV, found from optical transmission and reflection measurements. This apparent combination of antiferromagnetism and semiconductivity present in YbN makes it unique among the rare earth nitrides, a series dominated by ferromagnetic semiconductors.