Co-doped In 2O 3 thin films: Room temperature ferromagnets

Abstract

Laser-ablated Co-doped In 2O 3 thin films were fabricated under various growth conditions on R-cut Al 2O 3 and MgO substrates. All Co:In 2O 3 films are well-crystallized, single phase, and room temperature ferromagnetic. Co atoms were well substituted for In atoms, and their distribution is greatly uniform over the whole thickness of the films. Films grown at 550 °C showed the largest magnetic moment of about 0.5 μ B/Co, while films grown at higher temperatures have magnetic moments of one order smaller. The observed ferromagnetism above room temperature in Co:In 2O 3 thin films has confirmed that doping few percent of magnetic elements such as Co into In 2O 3 could result in a promising magnetic material.