Nonmagnetic γ'-fen Thin Films Epitaxially Grown On Cu(001): Electronic Structure And Thermal Stability

摘要

We report on a theoretical and experimental study of the growth, electronic structure, and thermal stability of ultrathin films of nonmagnetic iron nitride. The films are grown by evaporation of Fe, in a flux of atomic N produced by a plasma source, onto a Cu(001) surface kept at 300 K and characterized by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy, and x-ray diffraction. The compound formed is identified as γ'-FeN(001) growing epitaxially on the substrate. Its electronic structure and thermal stability has been studied and compared with first-principles calculations. This nitride film transforms to magnetic γ'-Fe_4N phase by annealing above 650 K, opening new perspectives for applications of these films in functional magnetic nanostructures.