Magneto-optical studies of SrGa0.7 Co-0.3 O3-delta perovskite thin films with embedded cobalt nanoparticles
Abstract
Sr(Ga-0.7 Co-0.3)O3-delta/Co perovskite/metal thin films have been systematically studied by means of Faraday and Kerr magneto-optical spectroscopies. The samples were prepared by pulsed laser deposition on (001) (LaAlO3)(0.3)(Sr2AlTaO6)(0.7) (LSAT) and Si substrates, and grew as a perovskite matrix containing approximately 6% by volume of embedded metallic Co nanoparticles with diameter less than 20 nm, which were distributed throughout the film and at the film-substrate interface.
The film thickness ranged from 130 to 310 nm. The perovskite matrix was single crystal on LSAT and polycrystalline on Si.
The magneto-optical spectroscopy was carried out in both Faraday and Kerr configurations in the photon energy range from 0.5 to 5 eV in magnetic fields sufficient for sample saturation, showing a strong thickness dependence of the magneto-optical effect. This dependence was attributed to the different metallic Co content, nanoparticle size, and accumulation at the film-substrate interface. (C) 2015 AIP Publishing LLC.