Formation of magnetite in bismuth ferrrite under voltage stressing

Abstract

Micro-Raman studies show that under ∼700kV∕cm of dc voltage stressing for a few seconds, magnetite Fe3O4 forms in thin-film bismuth ferrite BiFeO3, probably due to phase separation. No evidence is found spectroscopically of hemite α-Fe2O3, maghemite γ-Fe2O3, or Bi2O3. This may relate to the controversy regarding the magnitude of magnetization in BiFeO3.