Magnetic anisotropy and domain structure in epitaxial CoFe2O4 thin films

Abstract

Magnetic properties of CoFe2O4 thin films epitaxially grown on (100) MgO by pulsed layer deposition are controlled by substrate temperature and film thickness. At 300 °C a strong dependence of magnetic anisotropy on thickness is observed indicating that stress is dominant. However at 800 °C magnetic properties are less sensitive to film thickness suggesting that magnetocrystalline is the only prevailing form of anisotropy. We also show that magnetic domains exhibit a cluster-like structure rather than stripe.

Perpendicular magnetic anisotropy in 70nm CoFe2O4 thin films fabricated on SiO2/Si(100) by the sol–gel method

“…The domain structure is similar to that observed in reference, but with a domain length of about 150 nm, which is much smaller than that in Ref. [32]. This might be attributed to the polycrystalline structure in our films.…”

Electronic structure and optical band gap of CoFe2O4 thin films

“…Since the band gap or the barrier height of the ferromagnetic (ferrimagnetic) insulator is considered to be spin-dependent, quite high spin polarization of the current is indeed expected due to spin-filter effect. It has also been recognized that size effect and residual strain play an important role in controlling the coercivity and other magnetic properties [8,9]. Moreover, ferrites offer the advantage of having a band gap capable of absorbing visible light, as well as, the spinel crystal structure, which enhances efficiency due to the available extra catalytic sites by virtue of the crystal lattice [10].…”

Deposition of CoFe2O4 Composite Thick Films and Their Magnetic, Electrical Properties Characterizations

“…5. It can be seen that all the films reach saturation below 8 kOe due to the CFO ferrite thick film being in a quasi-free state with negligible shear stress from the substrate compared to chemical synthesized CFO thin film (Sathaye et al, 2003) or pulse laser deposited CFO epitaxial thin film (Lisfi & Williams, 2003). Furthermore, the present composite thick films show an annealing temperature dependent saturation magnetization (Ms) and magnetic coercivity (Hc).…”