Robert Hyde

Magnetic anisotropy and field switching in cobalt ferrite thin films deposited by pulsed laser ablation

We report the observation of contrasting magnetic behavior in cobalt ferrite (CFO) thin films deposited on single crystalline magnesium oxide (MgO) and strontium titanate (STO). Epitaxial films on MgO (100) with a lattice mismatch of 0.35% showed out-of-plane anisotropy whereas the films on STO (100) with a lattice mismatch of 7.4% displayed in-plane anisotropy. Stress anisotropy calculated from angle-dependent x-ray diffraction analysis confirmed that the change in anisotropy originates from the lattice mismatch. An additional low-field switching characteristic is observed in the M-H loops of the CFO films, which became prominent with lowering temperature as also evidenced from the rf transverse susceptibility measurements. The obtained results revealed that the low field switching is associated with the film-substrate interface.

Nanocolumnar interfaces and enhanced magnetic coercivity in preferentially oriented cobalt ferrite thin films grown using oblique-angle pulsed laser deposition.

Highly textured cobalt ferrite (CFO) thin films were grown on Si (100) substrates using oblique-angle pulsed laser deposition (α-PLD). X-ray diffraction and in-depth strain analysis showed that the obliquely deposited CFO films had both enhanced orientation in the (111) crystal direction as well as tunable compressive strains as a function of the film thicknesses, in contrast to the almost strain-free polycrystalline CFO films grown using normal-incidence PLD under the same conditions. Using in situ optical plume diagnostics the growth parameters in the α-PLD process were optimized to achieve smoother film surfaces with roughness values as low as 1-2 nm as compared to the typical values of 10-12 nm in the normal-incidence PLD grown films. Cross-sectional high resolution transmission electron microscope images revealed nanocolumnar growth of single-crystals of CFO along the (111) crystallographic plane at the film-substrate interface. Magnetic measurements showed larger coercive fields (∼10 times) with similar saturation magnetization in the α-PLD-grown CFO thin films as compared to those deposited using normal-incidence PLD. Such significantly enhanced magnetic coercivity observed in CFO thin films make them ideally suited for magnetic data storage applications. A growth mechanism based on the atomic shadowing effect and strain compression-relaxation mechanism was proposed for the obliquely grown CFO thin films.

Role of epitaxy in controlling the magnetic and magnetostrictive properties of cobalt ferrite-PZT bilayers

Epitaxial thin films of cobalt ferrite (CFO) single layer and CFO–lead zirconium titanate (PZT) bilayers were deposited on single crystal MgO (1 0 0) and SrTiO3 (STO) (1 0 0) substrates by pulsed laser deposition. The structural properties were characterized using x-ray diffraction and atomic force microscopy. The magnetic properties of the as-grown thin films were measured at 10 and 300 K in both parallel and perpendicular magnetic fields. The CFO–PZT bilayer films showed enhanced or reduced values of magnetization as compared with those of the CFO single layer films depending on the substrate of deposition. A strain compression–relaxation mechanism was proposed in order to explain the structure–property relationships in the CFO–PZT bilayer thin films.

Role of dual-laser ablation in controlling the Pb depletion in epitaxial growth of Pb(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O3 thin films with enhanced surface quality and ferroelectric properties

Pb depletion in Pb(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O3 (PZT) thin films has remained as a major setback in the growth of defect-free PZT thin films by pulsed laser ablation techniques. At low excimer (KrF) laser fluences, the high volatility of Pb in PZT leads to non-congruent target ablation and, consequently, non-stoichiometric films, whereas, at high laser fluences, the inherent ejection of molten droplets from the target leads to particulate laden films, which is undesirable in heterostructure growth. To overcome these issues, a dual-laser ablation (PLDDL) process that combines an excimer (KrF) laser and CO2 laser pulses was used to grow epitaxial PZT films on SrTiO3 (100) and MgO (100) substrates. Intensified-charge-coupled-detector (ICCD) images and optical emission spectroscopy of the laser-ablated plumes in PLDDL revealed a broader angular expansion and enhanced excitation of the ablated species as compared to those for single-laser ablation (PLDSL). This led to the growth of particulate-free PZT films with higher Pb...

Challenges in the stoichiometric growth of polycrystalline and epitaxial PbZr0.52Ti0.48O3/La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 multiferroic heterostructures using pulsed laser deposition

High quality polycrystalline and epitaxial PbZr0.52Ti0.48O3/La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 (PZT/LSMO) multiferroic thin films were deposited on single-crystal Si (100) and SrTiO3 (STO) (100) substrates using pulsed laser deposition (PLD) technique. The deposition conditions were optimized to overcome some of the challenges during the growth of stoichiometric PZT/LSMO thin films (with LSMO as the bottom layers). The major setback of the preferential evaporation of Pb during the ablation of PZT target, which leads to the growth of non-stoichiometric, Pb-deficient PZT thin films with poor ferroelectric properties, was investigated by studying the laser-target interaction sites and intensified charge-coupled detector (ICCD) imaging of the laser-ablated plumes. X-ray studies revealed that the PZT/LSMO heterostructures deposited under the optimum conditions were highly crystalline. Atomic force microscope images showed uniform grain growth with surface roughness values as low as 1.6 nm. In- and out-of-plane magnetization measu...

Impacts of amorphous and crystalline cobalt ferrite layers on the giant magneto-impedance response of a soft ferromagnetic amorphous ribbon

A systematic study of the effect of depositing CoFe2O4 (CFO) films of various thicknesses (d = 0–600 nm) on the giant magneto-impedance (GMI) response of a soft ferromagnetic amorphous ribbon Co65Fe4Ni2Si15B14 has been performed. The CFO films were grown on the amorphous ribbons by the pulsed laser deposition technique. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy revealed a structural variation of the CFO film from amorphous to polycrystalline as the thickness of the CFO film exceeded a critical value of 300 nm. Atomic force microscopy evidenced the increase in surface roughness of the CFO film as the thickness of the CFO film was increased. These changes in the crystallinity and morphology of the CFO film were found to have a distinct impact on the GMI response of the ribbon. Relative to the bare ribbon, coating of amorphous CFO films significantly enhanced the GMI response of the ribbon, while polycrystalline CFO films decreased it considerably. The maximum GMI response was achieved near the ...

Investigation of the Pb depletion in single and dual pulsed laser deposited epitaxial PZT thin films and their structural characterization

We have investigated the Pb depletion in laser ablated PZT (PbZr 1-xTi xO3) films through a systematic study of PZT target-laser interactions for both single laser and dual-laser ablation methods. The study includes films deposited from a stoichiometric and an excess PbO PZT targets. The films were deposited on single crystal SrTiO 3 [100] substrates at 550uC with a background oxygen pressure of 500 mT. Single laser deposited films at a laser fluence of 5J/cm 2 produced the highest Pb content while dual-laser ablated films where an excimer and a CO 2 pulsed lasers were synchronized for ablation produced high Pb content for an excimer laser fluence of less than 2J/cm 2 . This enabled the growth of particulate-free PZT films with high Pb content. ICCD imaging of the plasma plumes showed variations in the expansion profiles at different laser fluencies that correlated well with the Pb content observed in the deposited films.

Enhancement in ferroelectricity in V-doped ZnO thin film grown using laser ablation

We report evidence of enhancement in ferroelectricity in thin films of vanadium (V) doped ZnO grown at higher oxygen pressure. This process reduces oxygen deficiency and the material becomes very insulating, which in turn lowers the leakage current through the ferroelectric capacitor. 2 at. % V doped ZnO films, with thickness of approximately 1 �m were grown epitaxially on c-cut sapphire (Al 2O3) (0001) at a growth temperature of 600°C. X-ray analysis showed the layers to be epitaxial where the (0002) diffraction peak had a rocking curve FWHM below 1°. The films with higher oxygen pressure were more insulating than the one grown with lower oxygen pressure. The saturation polarization doubled when the growth pressure increased from 300 mT to 500 mT. Time gated ICCD imaging of the ablated plasma during various O 2 pressures and how it translated to the film quality are presented.

Synthesis and Characterization of Bulk and Thin Film Clathrates for Solid State Power Conversion Applications

Thin films of the type I clathrate Ba8Ga16Ge 30 have been synthesized by the pulsed laser ablation technique. The relatively low ablation threshold of this material at the UV wavelength leads to the ejection of particulates during laser-target interaction. The optimum laser fluence for the formation of stoichiometric films with the lowest particle density was 2.5 J/cm2 . Excitation of the UV laser generated plasma by a second pulsed CO2 laser further reduced particulate ejection and produced broader expansion profiles leading to large area uniform films. Films deposited by this method on quartz substrates were polycrystalline and showed semiconducting behavior. High purity type II NaxSi136 clathrates in bulk form have been synthesized by solid state reactions. The electrical properties of Na xSi136 (0 < x < 24) clathrates show a clear dependence on Na content, with resistivities that span several orders of magnitude

Photopolymerization-based synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticle embedded PNIPAM nanogels for biomedical applications

Abstract Conventional therapeutic techniques treat patients by delivering biotherapeutics to the entire body. With targeted delivery, biotherapeutics are transported to the afflicted tissue reducing exposure to healthy tissue. Targeted delivery devices are minimally composed of a stimuli responsive polymer allowing triggered release and magnetic nanoparticles enabling targeting as well as alternating magnetic field (AMF) heating. Although more traditional methods, like emulsion polymerization, have been used to realize such devices, the synthesis is problematic. For example, surfactants preventing agglomeration must be removed from the product increasing time and cost. Ultraviolet (UV) photopolymerization is more efficient and ensures safety by using biocompatible substances. Reactants selected for nanogel fabrication were N-isopropylacrylamide (monomer), methylene bis-acrylamide (crosslinker), and Irgacure 2959 (photoinitiator). The 10 nm superparamagnetic nanoparticles for encapsulation were composed of iron oxide. Herein, a low-cost, scalable, and rapid, custom-built UV photoreactor with in situ, spectroscopic monitoring system is used to observe synthesis. This method also allows in situ encapsulation of the magnetic nanoparticles simplifying the process. Nanogel characterization, performed by transmission electron microscopy, reveals size-tunable nanogel spheres between 40 and 800 nm in diameter. Samples of nanogels encapsulating magnetic nanoparticles were subjected to an AMF and temperature increase was observed indicating triggered release is possible. Results presented here will have a wide range of applications in medical sciences like oncology, gene delivery, cardiology, and endocrinology.