Study of Fe/FeO bi-layers on MgO

MRSEC Participants: Greg McKusky and Professor J. Ambrose Wolf

MRSEC Faculty Advisor: Dan Dahlberg

Ferromagnetic (F) Fe and anti-ferromagnetic (AF) FeO layers were sputtered onto a magnesium oxide substrate to observe exchange bias in the Fe layer (F) caused by the FeO layer (AF). Different argon and oxygen pressures were used to produce various grades of FeO. Fe₂O₃ and Fe₃O₄ do not display the necessary AF behavior. Measurements with the VSM proved to be inconclusive due to limitations in temperature control and field strength. However, the magnitude of the magnetic moment given by the VSM combined with thickness calibration results do indicate the successful growth of the Fe/FeO bi-layer. Measurements are underway using the SQUID in an attempt to observe exchange bias in the bi-layer system.