Influence of misfit strain on the physical properties of Fe thin films

TL;DR

This study examines how misfit strain affects the physical properties of Fe thin films grown on different substrates, revealing that substrate choice influences crystal quality and magnetic/electronic behaviors.

Contribution

It provides new insights into how substrate-induced strain impacts the structural and physical properties of Fe thin films.

Findings

Fe films on MgAl₂O₄ have higher crystal quality than on MgO

Crystal quality affects magnetic properties

Electronic transport properties are influenced by substrate choice

Abstract

We investigate the growth of thin Fe layers on MgAl$_2$O$_4$~(001) and MgO~(001) substrates using dc magnetron sputtering. The crystal quality of Fe layers deposited on MgAl$_2$O$_4$ is found to be substantially higher as compared to Fe grown on MgO substrates. The effects of the crystal quality on the magnetic and electronic transport properties are discussed.