Deposition and characterization of Y-substituted BIG thin films

Abstract

Garnets are the most suitable materials for magnetic and magneto-optical applications due to their large magneto-optical response and very good magnetic properties. They are transparent and magneto-optically active in a visible and near infrared range (about 390 – 2500 nm). This thesis shows the procedure of the whole experiment from a preparation of a target, throughout a process of deposition of a thin film and its characterization, to final determination of its properties. The focus is laid on examining possibilities of doping garnets and thin film deposition conditions in order to obtain the best magneto-optical properties. Most of the experimental work has been done in a cooperation with the University of Versailles in France. Two series of crystalline Bi:YIG thin films (Bi2YFe5O12 and BiY2Fe5O12) have been prepared on gadolinium-gallium garnet (GGG) substrate by the pulsed laser deposition (PLD) varying O2 pressure and substrate temperature. Characterization methods such as SEM, emission spectroscopy, AFM, XRD, RHEED, profilometry, ellipsometry, and magneto-optics altogether give information about thin films’ morphology, stoichiometry, chemical composition, as well as crystallization, optical and magneto-optical properties.