Phase Diagram of a Model for Diluted Magnetic Semiconductors Beyond Mean-Field Approximations

A lattice spin-fermion model for diluted magnetic semiconductors (DMS) is investigated numerically, improving on previously used mean-field (MF) approximations. Curie temperatures are obtained varying the Mn-spin x and hole n densities, and the impurity-hole exchange J in units of the hopping amplitude t. Optimal values are found in the subtle intermediate regime between itinerant and localized carriers. Our main result is the behavior of the Curie temperature at large J/t, where a “clustered” state is observed and ferromagnetism is suppressed. Formal analogies between DMS and manganites are also discussed.