Synthesis, Structure, and Spectroscopy of Epitaxial EuFeO3 Thin Films

Journal Article · Wed Mar 04 00:00:00 EST 2015 · Crystal Growth & Design, 15(3):1105-1111

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/cg501403m· OSTI ID:1184280

Choquette, Amber K.; Colby, Robert J.; Moon, E. J.; Schleputz, C. M.; Scafetta, Mark D.; Keavney, David J.; May, Steven J.

Rare earth iron perovskites RFeO3, where R is a rare earth cation, exhibit an array of magnetic, catalytic, optical and electrochemical properties. Here we study EuFeO3 films synthesized by molecular beam epitaxy in order to better understand the optical properties of ferrites. A combination of x-ray diffraction, x-ray reflectivity, Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy, and scanning transmission electron microscopy were used to characterize the film structure and cation composition. X-ray absorption spectroscopy confirms the nominal 3+ valence states of Eu and Fe. The optical properties of EuFeO3 were investigated using variable angle spectroscopic ellipsometry between the phonon energies of 1.25 to 5 eV. We find that EuFeO3 is a semiconductor with an onset of optical absorption near 2.5 eV. The absorption spectrum of EuFeO3 is blue-shifted with respect to LaFeO3 films, a result that is attributed to the structural differences of the two materials.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States). Environmental Molecular Sciences Lab. (EMSL)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 1184280
• Report Number(s): PNNL-SA-107727; 47862; KP1704020
• Journal Information: Crystal Growth & Design, 15(3):1105-1111, Journal Name: Crystal Growth & Design, 15(3):1105-1111
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory