Atomic Scale Design and Control of Cation Distribution in Hexagonal Ferrites

摘要

Using a novel alternating target laser ablation deposition technique, Mn cations were placed in specific interstitial sites of BaFe_(12)O_(19) thin films as opposed to being distributed throughout the unit cell as in conventional bulk materials. The distribution of Mn cations has been confirmed experimentally and predicted theoretically. As a result of site selection, the saturation magnetization increased 12%-22%, and the Neel temperature increased by 40-60 K compared to bulk materials. This technique implies a new methodology to design and process a new generation of ferrite, oxide, and alloy materials.