Hall effect, magnetization, and conductivity of Fe3O4 epitaxial thin films

Abstract

Magnetite epitaxial thin films have been prepared by pulsed laser deposition on MgO and Si substrates. The magnetic and electrical properties of these epitaxial films are close to those of single crystals. For 40-50 nm thick films, the saturation magnetization and electrical conductivity are ∼450emu∕cm3 and 225Ω−1cm−1 at room temperature, respectively. The Verwey transition temperature is 117K. The Hall effect data yield an electron concentration corresponding to 0.22 electrons per formula unit at room temperature. Both normal and anomalous Hall effect have been found to have negative sign.