VARIABLE TEXTURE NIOFE2O3 FERRITE FILMS PREPARED BY PULSED-LASER DEPOSITION

Pulsed laser deposition using bulk NiOFe2O3 targets onto heated substr ates has been used to synthesize single phase Ni spinel ferrite films onto various substrates. flowing oxygen has been used during the depos ition to maintain the oxygen stoichiometry. Ni ferrite films have been deposited onto C-, R-, and A-plane sapphire, polycrystalline Al2O3, a nd fused silica. Single-crystal (111) oriented NiOFe2O3 films have bee n made onto C-plane sapphire for substrate temperatures of greater tha n 900 degrees C. Polycrystalline highly (400) textured Ni ferrite film s have been made onto R-plane sapphire with I(400)/I(311)=6.15. Films made onto A-plane sapphire, polycrystalline alumina, and fused silica showed only moderate texturing. The coercive force of the (111) orient ed NiOFe2O3 was 120 Oe perpendicular to the film plane and 95 Oe in pl ane. (C) 1996 American Institute of Physics.