Magneto-optical images of submicron-size Bi-substituted YIG patterns prepared by electron-beam irradiated metal-organic decomposition

Abstract

We investigated the magneto-optical properties of submicron-size epitaxial Bi-substituted yttrium-iron garnet (Bi:YIG) patterns fabricated by an electron-beam irradiated metal-organic decomposition (EB-MOD) method. The advantage of this method is that no dry etching process is required. The Bi:YIG pattern showed the clear magneto-optical Kerr effect (MOKE) hysteresis loop, and it was in good agreement with the magnetization curve of the Bi:YIG patterns. The MOKE image measurements revealed that the Bi:YIG pattern with a width of ∼0.71 μm prepared by the EB-MOD showed proper contrast changing behavior depending on magnetic fields, and it can maintain its MO property even in submicron-size.