Morin transition temperature in (0001)-oriented α-Fe2O3 thin film and effect of Ir doping

The structural properties and Morin transition in c-plane-oriented alpha-Fe2O3 and Ir-doped alpha-Fe2O3 thin films have been investigated. The enhancement of the Morin transition temperature (T-M) in alpha-Fe2O3 film by Ir doping has been demonstrated. The T-M in the c-plane-oriented alpha-Fe2O3 thin film was determined from the temperature-dependent in-plane magnetization and change of coercivity (H-c); this T-M value was found close to that of bulk alpha-Fe2O3. The spin directions of non-doped and Ir-doped alpha-Fe2O3 at room temperature were also estimated from conversion electron Mossbauer spectroscopy measurements. We confirmed that Ir doping dramatically enhances the T-M of alpha-Fe2O3 thin film. (C) 2015 AIP Publishing LLC.