Magnetic Properties of Oxide Surfaces and Films

Abstract

This chapter discusses the interesting magnetic properties of low-dimensional oxides, especially transition metal (TM) oxides (Sect. 22.1), which have long been the focus of scientific investigations. In recent years, researchers have taken a particular interest in low-dimensional TM oxide systems, especially ultrathin films (in the nanometer thickness range) that typically develop at surfaces and interfaces. In this respect, interfaces are at the heart of the magnetic phenomena associated with low-dimensional systems containing magnetic oxides. Understanding and mastering the physics of interfaces is therefore crucial if we are to manipulate the magnetic properties of such small-scale systems. Thus, several experimental techniques that allow the chemical compositions and magnetic properties of surfaces and interfaces to be probed have been developed over the last century, some of which are described in Sect. 22.2.