Growth, structure, and magnetic properties of {gamma}-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} epitaxial films on MgO
- Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington 99352 (United States)
- Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC 20375 (United States)
Single-crystal epitaxial thin films of {gamma}-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}(001) have been grown on MgO(001) using oxygen-plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy. The structure and magnetic properties of these films have been characterized by a variety of techniques, including reflection high-energy electron diffraction (RHEED), low-energy electron diffraction (LEED), x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and x-ray photoelectron/Auger electron diffraction (XPD/AED), vibrating sample magnetometry, and ferromagnetic resonance. Real-time RHEED reveals that the film growth occurs in a layer-by-layer fashion. The {gamma}-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}(001) film surface exhibits a (1{times}1) LEED pattern. The growth of {gamma}-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} films at 450 {degree}C is accompanied by significant Mg outdiffusion. AED of Mg KLL Auger emission reveals that Mg substitutionally incorporates in the {gamma}-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} lattice, occupying the octahedral sites. Magnetic moments are {approximately}2300 G and {approximately}4500 G for {gamma}-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} films grown at 250{degree}C and 450{degree}C, respectively. The high magnetic moment for the films grown at 450{degree}C could be attributed to the high degree of structural order of the films and Mg substitution at octahedral sites. {copyright} {ital 1997 American Institute of Physics.}
- Research Organization:
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC06-76RL01830
- OSTI ID:
- 527835
- Journal Information:
- Journal of Applied Physics, Journal Name: Journal of Applied Physics Journal Issue: 7 Vol. 81; ISSN JAPIAU; ISSN 0021-8979
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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