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The Magnetic Properties of Selected Rare Earth Nitrides Grown by Pulsed Laser Deposition

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thesis
posted on 2023-03-13, 23:40 authored by Ludbrook, B. M.

Gadolinium nitride (GdN) and samarium nitride (SmN) are grown by pulsed laser deposition on yttria stabilised zirconia substrates.  Surface and structural characterisation shows that the thin films are epitaxial with crystallites of up to 30 nm in diameter and a very large in plane coherence length. A novel oxide layer is observed at the substrate-film interface, caused by oxygen in the substrate reacting with the deposited rare earth element. GdN is found to be ferromagnetic below 70 K with a saturation moment of 7 Bohr magneton per ion. The relationship between the crystal structure and the magnetisation is investigated using ferromagnetic resonance and a weak easy axis along the [111] azimuth is reported. Hall effect measurements show the carriers are electrons, present in concentrations of 1020/cm3. Magnetic measurements on SmN show the presence of metallic droplets, but correcting for these, the Curie temperature is found to be 30 K.We report on preliminary growths of europium nitride and show the valence of the Eu is 3+, solving an outstanding theoretical question.

History

Copyright Date

2009-01-01

Date of Award

2009-01-01

Publisher

Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington

Rights License

Author Retains Copyright

Degree Discipline

Physics

Degree Grantor

Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington

Degree Level

Masters

Degree Name

Master of Science

Victoria University of Wellington Item Type

Awarded Research Masters Thesis

Language

en_NZ

Victoria University of Wellington School

School of Chemical and Physical Sciences

Advisors

Ruck, Ben