Magnetization of 2.6T in gadolinium thin films

TL;DR

This study investigates the magnetic properties of 50nm gadolinium thin films, revealing near-bulk saturation magnetization and Curie temperature, with insights into magnetic transitions related to grain interactions.

Contribution

It provides detailed magnetic characterization of nanogranular gadolinium films, demonstrating single-crystal-like behavior and identifying magnetic transition phenomena.

Findings

Maximum in-plane saturation magnetization of 2.61 T at 4K

Curie temperature of 293K consistent with bulk Gd

Magnetic transitions at 12K and 22K related to grain interactions

Abstract

There is renewed interest in rare-earth elements and gadolinium in particular for a range of studies in coupling physics and applications. However, it is still apparent that synthesis impacts understanding of the intrinsic magnetic properties of thin gadolinium films, particularly for thicknesses of topicality. We report studies on 50nm thick nanogranular polycrystalline gadolinium thin films on SiO2 wafers that demonstrate single-crystal like behavior. The maximum in-plane saturation magnetization at 4K was found to be 4{\pi}MS4K = (2.61{\pm}0.26)T with a coercivity of HC4K = (160{\pm}5)Oe. A maximum Curie point of TC = (293{\pm}2)K was measured via zero-field-cooled - field- cooled magnetization measurements in close agreement with values reported in bulk single crystals. Our measurements revealed magnetic transitions at T1 = (12{\pm}2)K (as deposited samples) and T2 = (22{\pm}2)K (depositions on heated substrates) possibly arising from the interaction of paramagnetic fcc grains with their ferromagnetic hcp counterparts.