Structural, optical ellipsometry, and magnetic characteristics of iron-doped zinc oxide thin films for spintronic applications

Zn1-xFexO films with x = 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20% at. were created using an electron beam gun and high vacuum. It has been considered how the concentration of Fe doping will affect the films' structural, magnetic and optical properties. All films' XRD signals at different Fe concentrations revealed wurtzite-type structures. The results demonstrate that when Fe content increases, the size of nano-films decreases from 24 nm (%) to 11 nm (0.20%). This results from the distinction between Zn's and Fe's ionic radii. The XPS spectra showed peaks related to the components to be observed for precipitated 10% Zn1-xFexO nanoparticles and undoped ZnO nanoparticles: zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), and oxygen (O). By using SE measurements, the optical constants (n, k) of the Zn1-xFexO films were determined use an ellipsometry model, allowing for the verification of the Fe3+ ions in Fe-doped ZnO. With the addition of Fe, from 3.44 to 3.28 eV, the energy band gap shrunk. Zn1-xFexO thin film was found to have ferromagnetism at normal temperature by M-H tests. As the Fe concentration rises, the magnetization increases until it reaches a concentration of 15%, at which point it starts to decrease. This decrease in magnetization was attributable to the spinel phase, which was seen in the XRD spectra. These findings imply that Zn1-xFexO is a highly suggested material for the creation of spintronic and optoelectronic devices.

Automated summary

Zn1-xFexO films with different Fe doping concentrations were fabricated using an electron beam gun and high vacuum. The effects of Fe doping concentration on the structural, magnetic, and optical properties of the films were investigated. XRD analysis revealed wurtzite-type structures for all films. It was found that as the Fe content increased, the size of the nano-films decreased. XPS spectra confirmed the presence of zinc, iron, and oxygen in the films. Optical constant measurements showed a decrease in energy band gap with increasing Fe concentration. M-H tests demonstrated ferromagnetism in the Zn1-xFexO films, with magnetization increasing with Fe concentration before decreasing at higher concentrations.