Magneto-thermal behavior of a granular FeCl₂–Fe heterostructure

Abstract

A granular system consisting of ferromagnetic single-domain Fe particles in an antiferromagnetic FeCl₂ matrix was prepared by coevaporation in an ultra-high vacuum environment. The structural and magnetic properties were investigated by X-ray diffractometry and superconducting quantum interference device magnetometry, respectively. The heterostructure combines the properties of superparamagnetic Fe granules and the antiferromagnetism of the FeCl₂ matrix. In addition, dipolar interaction-induced giant moments are observed below the Néel temperature of the FeCl₂ matrix. The thermomagnetic properties of the giant moments are studied.

Keywords:

• Granular thin films
• Dipolar interactions
• Exchange coupling

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft within the framework of the Graduate School 277 “Structure and Dynamics of Heterogeneous Systems”.