Magnetic moment in an ultrathin magnetite film

We have investigated the magnetic properties of a Cu capped thin film of magnetite (Fe3O4) grown epitaxially on Pt(111). Conversion electron Mössbauer spectroscopy data show good agreement with those from bulk Fe3O4, evidencing a good degree of structural order. The data point to in-plane ferrimagne...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of applied physics 2003-05, Vol.93 (10), p.7960-7962
Main Authors: Morrall, P., Schedin, F., Langridge, S., Bland, J., Thomas, M. F., Thornton, G.
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:We have investigated the magnetic properties of a Cu capped thin film of magnetite (Fe3O4) grown epitaxially on Pt(111). Conversion electron Mössbauer spectroscopy data show good agreement with those from bulk Fe3O4, evidencing a good degree of structural order. The data point to in-plane ferrimagnetic alignment of the magnetic moment in the Fe3O4 layer. Polarized neutron reflectivity (PNR) data determines the layer thinknesses to be 53±6 Å for the magnetite film and 106±5 Å for the Cu capping layer. The average magnetic moment determined by PNR for the Fe3O4 layer is 2.8±0.3 μB, smaller than the value of 4.1 μB for bulk Fe3O4. It is suggested that the reduced moment is in part a result of a reduced ordering temperature in the ultrathin film.
ISSN:0021-8979
1089-7550
DOI:10.1063/1.1556251