Temperature‐dependent Raman study of PrFeO3thin film

Low‐temperature Raman study of (001)‐oriented PrFeO₃ thin film of around 200 nm thickness deposited on a LaAlO₃ (001) substrate by using the pulsed‐laser deposition technique is presented. X‐ray diffraction analysis of this film shows an orthorhombic structure with Pbnm space group. The observed substrate‐induced strain is found to be small. In the room temperature Raman spectra, different Raman modes were observed that were classified according to the orthorhombic structure. All the observed modes show a decrease in wavenumber with rise in temperature, except the B_1g mode (624 cm⁻¹) which shows some anomalous behavior. We tried to correlate the variations in linewidth and position with temperature for the observed modes with the octahedral disorder of FeO₆. Many possibilities are presented to explain the observed results. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Multiferroic properties of sol-gel derived Bi5Fe1-xCoxTi3O15 thin films

Co-doped Bi 5 FeTi 3 O 15 thin films (BFCT-x,Bi 5 Fe 1-x Co x Ti 3 O 15) were prepared using a sol-gel technique.XRD patterns confirm their single phase Aurivillius structure,and the corresponding powder Rietveld analysis indicates the change of space group around x=0.12.The magnetic hysteresis loops are obtained and ferromagnetism is therefore confirmed in BFCT-x thin films.The remanent magnetization (M r) first increases and reaches the maximum value of 0.42 emu/cm 3 at x=0.12 due to the possible Fe 3+-O-Co 3+ ferromagnetic coupling.When x=0.25,the M r increases again because of the dominant Fe 3+-O-Co 3+ ferromagnetic coupling.The remanent polarization (2P r) of BFCT-0.25 was measured to be as high as 62 μC/cm 2,a 75% increase when compared with the non-doped BFCT-0 films.The 2P r remains almost unchanged after being subjected to 5.2 × 10 9 read/write cycles.Greatly enhanced ferroelectric properties are considered to be associated with decreased leakage current density.     

Size effect in plastically deformed passivated thin films

The flow theory of mechanism-based strain gradient plasticity theory (MSG) developed by Qiu et al. (2003) is extended for incompressible material. The MSG flow theory is used to predict the increase of plastic work hardening for plane strain tension of surface-passivated Cu thin film. The theoretical predictions agree well with experiments for suitably chosen material parameters. Contributed by HWANG Keh-Chih     

以表面等离子体为媒介的ZnO薄膜发光增强特性研究

采用两步法制备Si基Ag/ZnO双层结构薄膜,研究了Ag覆盖层的厚度和生长温度T对ZnO近带边发光强度的影响.对于厚度为100 nm的ZnO薄膜,发现Ag覆盖层的最佳厚度仅为8 nm,此时双层薄膜相对于单层ZnO薄膜的发光增强因子η达到最大值8.1;同时还发现,在最佳Ag层厚度下,生长温度T≥300 ℃时生长Ag所获Ag/ZnO双层薄膜的ZnO发光强度比生长温度T≤200 ℃时生长的双层薄膜样品大一倍以上,η ≈ 18.结合对双层薄膜表 关键词： 表面等离子体共振 复合薄膜     

BiFeO3 thin films: Novel effects

In this paper we report synthesis of phase-pure highly resistive magnetoelectric BiFeO₃ thin films on Pt/TiO₂/SiO₂/Si substrate by using pulsed laser deposition technique. For the first time saturated ferroelectric hysteresis loop has been observed. It has confirmed the presence of ferroelectricity in BiFeO₃ compound. The films exhibit dielectric anomaly near Neel temperature. This anomaly is related to the influence of vanishing magnetic order on the electric order. In situ domain alignment occurs during observation of the films under transmission electron microscope.     

X- and gamma-ray irradiation effects on vanadium pentoxide thin films

Thickness and composition of thin films can be measured with X- and gamma-rays. In this work, thickness and composition of vanadium pentoxide thin films are investigated by energy dispersive and wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence systems. Also, the surface analysis of vanadium pentoxide thin films irradiated with Rhodium Kα X-rays and 59.54?keV gamma-rays emitted from 100?mCi and 5?Ci Americium-241 radioactive sources is performed by scanning electron microscope. It is observed that X- and gamma-rays are destructive for vanadium pentoxide thin films. Also, the composition of vanadium pentoxide thin films changes by irradiation with X- and gamma-rays.     

Ferromagnetism, variable range hopping and anomalous Hall effect in epitaxial Co:ZnO thin film

A series of high quality single crystalline epitaxial Zn_0.95Co_0.05O thin films is prepared by molecular beam epitaxy. Superparamagnetism and ferromagnetism are observed when the donor density is manipulated in a range of 10¹⁸ cm^-3-10²⁰ cm^-3 by changing the oxygen partial pressure during film growth. The conduction shows variable range hopping at low temperature and thermal activation conduction at high temperature. The ferromagnetism can be maintained up to room temperature. However, the anomalous Hall effect is observed only at low temperature and disappears above 160 K. This phenomenon can be attributed to the local ferromagnetism and the decreased optimal hopping distance at high temperatures.     

Ferromagnetism,variable range hopping,and the anomalous Hall effect in epitaxial Co：ZnO thin film

A series of high quality single crystalline epitaxial Zn 0.95 Co 0.05 O thin films is prepared by molecular beam epitaxy.Superparamagnetism and ferromagnetism are observed when the donor density is manipulated in a range of 10 18 cm 3-10 20 cm 3 by changing the oxygen partial pressure during film growth.The conduction shows variable range hopping at low temperature and thermal activation conduction at high temperature.The ferromagnetism can be maintained up to room temperature.However,the anomalous Hall effect is observed only at low temperature and disappears above 160 K.This phenomenon can be attributed to the local ferromagnetism and the decreased optimal hopping distance at high temperatures.     

A new approach to the synthesis of functional thin films: Hierarchical synthesis of CaCO3 thin films and their transformation into patterned metal thin films

A patterned metal thin film was synthesized based on a new approach that allows the formation of thin films with complex shape, hierarchical organization, and controlled size under ambient conditions in an aqueous environment. By using a general coating system, a CaCO₃ thin film was transformed into a patterned metal thin film with functional properties, such as adhesion and hydrophobicity. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and surface-profiling experiments were carried out to measure the adhesion between the probe tip and the substrate and to determine the film thickness. Separation of the patterned ceramic thin film occurred very easily by means of sputtering and chemical treatment with an acidic solution.     

外加电场对铁电薄膜相变的影响

采用热力学非线性理论,研究了外加电场对立方基底Pb(Zr_0.3Ti_0.7)O₃(PZT)铁电薄膜相变的影响.通过数值计算,得到了"失配应变-外加电场"相图,及外加电场与极化强度的关系.当外加电场达到186 kV/cm时,能使生长在SrTiO₃ 基底上PZT铁电薄膜从单斜r相转变为c相.在实验上,采用扫描探针显微镜通过对PZT薄膜施加不同的极化电场来研究了它的电畴翻转.从得到的压电响应相图可以看出,绝大多数的电畴是清晰可 关键词： 铁电薄膜 相变 扫描探针显微镜 失配应变     

Research on the optimum hydrogenated silicon thin films for application in solar cells

Hydrogenated silicon (Si:H) thin films for application in solar cells were deposited by using very high frequency plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition (VHF PECVD) at a substrate temperature of about 170℃. The electrical, structural, and optical properties of the films were investigated. The deposited films were then applied as i-layers for p-i-n single junction solar cells. The current--voltage (I-V) characteristics of the cells were measured before and after the light soaking. The results suggest that the films deposited near the transition region have an optimum properties for application in solar cells. The cell with an i-layer prepared near the transition region shows the best stable performance.     

Zero-field skyrmions in FeGe thin films stabilized through attaching a perpendicularly magnetized single-domain Ni layer

A numerical study reports that the zero-field skyrmions in Fe Ge thin films are stabilized when a Fe Ge layer is exchange coupled to a single-domain Ni layer, which has been magnetized perpendicularly. Due to the small thickness, an easy-plane anisotropy in the Fe Ge layer is taken into account, and the skyrmion-crystal state is favored to appear for low anisotropies and intermediate Fe Ge/Ni interlayer exchange couplings, and finally transformed from a labyrinth-like and into an out-ofplane uniform state for the large couplings or into an in-plane state for the high anisotropies. Furthermore, the maximum skyrmion charge number is bigger for the periodic and fixed boundary conditions with an out-of-plane magnetization;on the contrary, the Bloch-type skyrmions can be frozen and stabilized for the larger couplings on the fixed boundary with an in-plane magnetization, similar to the experimental results of the magnetic-field-induced skyrmions. Finally, the skyrmion charge number and diameter both decrease if the nonmagnetic defects exist, and the skyrmion centers are prone to being captured by defect sites. This work evidences that the ensembles of homochiral skyrmions stabilized in the multilayers fabricated by well-established technologies present a roadmap to design new classes of the materials that can host skyrmions.     

Reversible alternation between bipolar and unipolar resistive switching in La-SrTiO_3 thin films

The alternation from bipolar to unipolar resistive switching is observed in perovskite La0.01Sr0.99TiO3thin films.These two switching modes can be activated separately depending on the compliance current(Icomp)during the electroforming process:with a higher Icomp(5 mA)the unipolar resistance switching behavior is measured,while the bipolar resistance switching behavior is observed with a lower Icomp(1 mA).On the basis of I–V characteristics,the switching mechanisms for the URS and BRS modes are considered as being a change in the Schottky-like barrier height and/or width at the Pt/La-SrTiO3interface and the formation and disruption of conduction filaments,respectively.     

Competing magnetoresistance contributions in sputtered FePt thin films

Fe-Pt thin films were deposited by rf sputtering on an MgO substrate heated at different temperatures to induce the formation of the perpendicular Fe-Pt L1₀ phase with a different grain morphology on the nanometer scale. All films are characterized by a mazelike pattern of FePt nanograins with interconnected bases. MFM images and magnetization curves indicate that all samples have a strong perpendicular magnetic anisotropy arising from (0 0 1) growth. The temperature behaviour of the electrical resistance indicates that a percolating path exists for conduction electrons in the mazelike pattern. The magnetoresistance was measured as a function of magnetic field (applied longitudinally) and temperature in the ranges −70 kOe<H<+70 kOe and 4 K<T<150 K, respectively. All samples display a complex behaviour of the electrical resistance as a function of applied field. The role of the different magnetoresistance effects (both intrinsic and extrinsic) measured in these FePt thin films is elucidated.     

Electrosynthesis and characterization of Fe doped CdSe thin films from ethylene glycol bath

The CdSe and Fe doped CdSe (Fe:CdSe) thin films have been electrodeposited potentiostatically onto the stainless steel and fluorine doped tin oxide (FTO) glass substrates, from ethylene glycol bath containing (CH₃COO)₂·Cd·2H₂O, SeO₂, and FeCl₃ at room temperature. The doping concentration of Fe is optimized by using (photo) electrochemical (PEC) characterization technique. The deposition mechanism and Fe incorporation are studied by cyclic voltammetry. The structural, surface morphological and optical properties of the deposited CdSe and Fe:CdSe thin films have been studied by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and optical absorption techniques respectively. The PEC study shows that Fe:CdSe thin films are more photosensitive than that of undoped CdSe thin films. The X-ray diffraction analysis shows that the films are polycrystalline with hexagonal crystal structure. SEM studies reveal that the films with uniformly distributed grains over the entire surface of the substrate. The complete surface morphology has been changed after doping. Optical absorption study shows the presence of direct transition and a considerable decrease in bandgap, E_g from 1.95 to 1.65 eV.     

溅射条件对Ni80Fe20薄膜各向异性磁电阻的影响

研究了基片温度和溅射气压对磁控溅射方法制备的Ni80Fe20磁性薄膜各向异性磁电阻的影响.实验发现基片温度是影响Ni80Fe20薄膜各向异性磁电阻最重要的因素.在较高的基片温度下,溅射气压对Ni80Fe20薄膜各向异性磁电阻也有较大的影响.基片温度在150~180℃,溅射气压在0.3~0.5 Pa范围内制备的Ni80Fe20薄膜有较大的各向异性磁电阻(3.7%~4.3%).     

Origin of ultraviolet photovoltaic effect in Fe3O4 thin films

We have investigated the transport and ultraviolet photovoltaic properties of Fe$_{3}$O$_{4}$ thin films grown on glass substrates by facing-target sputtering technique. The nonlinear dependence of current-density on voltage suggests that the transport process is most likely the tunnelling process and grain boundaries act as barriers. Furthermore, nonequilibrium electron-hole pairs are excited in the grains and grain boundary regions for Fe$_{3}$O$_{4}$ film under ultraviolet laser, since the energy gap of Fe$_{3}$O$_{4}$ is smaller than the ultraviolet photon energy. And then the built-in electric field near the grain boundaries will separate carriers, leading to the appearance of an instant photovoltage.     

Refractive index dispersion in Y2O3 thin films obtained by different methods

We have studied refractive index dispersion in Y₂O₃ thin films obtained by stepwise vaporization and high-frequency ion plasma spraying in different atmospheres. We have established that regardless of the method used to obtain the films, the spectral dependence of the refractive index in the visible region of the spectrum is mainly determined by transitions from the band of 2p states of the oxygen, forming the highest unoccupied level of the valance band, to the bottom of the conduction band, formed by the 4d5s states of the ytrrium. For the studied films, we have determined the parameters of the single-oscillator approximation, the dispersion energy, the ionicity of the chemical bond, and the coordination number. __________ Translated from Zhurnal Prikladnoi Spektroskopii, Vol. 73, No. 1, pp. 129–132, January–February, 2006.     

Polaronic transport in TiO2 thin films with increasing Nb content

The temperature dependence of the charge transport in TiO₂ films was investigated to establish the correlation between the Nb content and electrical properties. It was identified that temperature-dependent conductivity of the films is dominated by a phonon-assisted small polaron hopping model in the non-adiabatic regime. Applying the polaron hopping models of Mott, Schnakenberg and Emin to describe the observed behavior, temperature-dependent conductivity data of the films were analyzed. A detailed analysis in terms of small polaron hopping parameters in the investigated temperature regime was used to correlate electrical properties with the percentage of Nb.     

光学薄膜残余应力分配预测模型计算方法研究

残余应力是光学薄膜研究的一个重要组成部分，它对光学元器件有很大的影响。根据弹性力学原理，基于应变不匹配，提出了一种可以预测薄膜残余应力分配的理论模型计算方法，并将计算结果与干涉仪测量值进行了对比。利用所建立的模型分析了薄膜参数变化时基底残余应力的变化情况。结果表明：所建模型合理；随着镀膜温度的增加，基底总残余应力随镀膜温度升高而呈增大的趋势;本征应力变化不太大；随着基底厚度的减小，基底上下表面应力呈增大的趋势，而薄膜应力则呈减小趋势，但变化趋势很小。基底的中心轴约位于基底上表面以下2／3处。