Epitaxial electrodeposition of Fe(3)O(4) thin films on the low-index planes of gold.
Half-metallic ferrimagnetic materials such as Fe(3)O(4) are of interest for use in spintronic devices. These devices exploit both the spin and charge of an electron in spin-dependent charge transport. Epitaxial thin films of Fe(3)O(4) have been grown on the three low-index planes of gold by electrodeposition. On Au(110), a [110] Fe(3)O(4) orientation that is aligned with the underlying Au(110) substrate is observed. Thin films on Au(100) grow with three different orientations: [100], [111], and [511]. On Au(111), both [111] and [511] orientations of Fe(3)O(4) are observed. The [511] orientations are the result of twinning on [111] planes. A polarization value of approximately -40% at the Fermi level was measured by spin-polarized photoemission at room temperature for a thin film on Au(111).
Sorenson
Thomas A
TA
Department of Chemistry and Graduate Center for Materials Research, University of Missouri, Rolla, Rolla, Missouri 65409-1170, USA.
Morton
Simon A
SA
Waddill
G Dan
GD
Switzer
Jay A
JA