Observation of magnetic dead layers at the surface of iron oxide films

Depth profiles of the magnetization of sputtered films of Fe3O4 and its oxidized form, γ-Fe2O3, were obtained by the new polarized neutron reflection technique. We find that the magnetization of Fe3O4 is constant throughout the thickness (2600 Å) of the film except for a surface region about 25 Å de...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Applied physics letters 1986-03, Vol.48 (9), p.604-606
Main Authors: PARKIN, S. S. P, SIGSBEE, R, FELICI, R, FELCHER, G. P
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties
Exact sciences and technology
Magnetic properties and materials
Magnetic properties of surface, thin films and multilayers
Physics
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Summary:Depth profiles of the magnetization of sputtered films of Fe3O4 and its oxidized form, γ-Fe2O3, were obtained by the new polarized neutron reflection technique. We find that the magnetization of Fe3O4 is constant throughout the thickness (2600 Å) of the film except for a surface region about 25 Å deep corresponding to the surface roughness. In contrast the oxidized sample shows a magnetically dead layer ∼150 Å thick at the surface. X-ray and transmission electron microscopy studies give no evidence that the surface layers differ structurally from the bulk of the film, although there is the possibility of a highly defective surface region formed during the oxidation process.
ISSN:0003-6951
1077-3118
DOI:10.1063/1.96481