Structure and magnetism in ultrathin iron oxides characterized by low energy electron microscopy

TL;DR

This study investigates ultrathin iron oxide films grown on ruthenium, revealing their structure and magnetic properties through advanced electron microscopy techniques, including phase identification and magnetic domain imaging.

Contribution

The paper demonstrates the growth and characterization of epitaxial ultrathin iron oxide films, identifying phases and magnetic behavior at room temperature using low energy electron microscopy.

Findings

Identification of wustite and magnetite phases in ultrathin films

Observation of magnetic domains in magnetite at room temperature

Successful application of low energy electron microscopy for structural and magnetic analysis

Abstract

We have grown epitaxial films a few atomic layers thick of iron oxides on ruthenium. We characterize the growth by low energy electron microscopy. Using selected area diffraction and intensity vs. voltage spectroscopy, we detect two distinct phases which are assigned to wustite and magnetite. Spin polarized low energy electron microscopy shows magnetic domain patterns in the magnetite phase at room temperature.