Growth and characterization of pulsed laser-deposited Mn-Zn ferrite thin films

The magnetic behavior of Mn-Zn ferrite thin films deposited on silicon and sapphire substrates with and without a buffer layer of MgO was studied. The films were grown in a vacuum chamber using a KrF* excimer laser. The magne tic and structural properties of the films deposited were examined. The mag netic behaviour of the film deposited on Si with a buffer layer of MgO was studied comparatively to that deposited on other substrates, using Kerr eff ect. The large coercive force obtained is related to the microstructure, wh ich was investigated by AFM. The films were smooth and homogeneous. XRD-ana lyses revealed the formation of Mn-Zn ferrite phase. (C) 2000 Elsevier Scie nce Ltd. All rights reserved.