Observation and manipulation of magnetic domains in sol gel derived thin films of spinel ferrites

Abstract

Thin films of spinel ferrites, namely zinc substituted nickel, cobalt ferrite, and manganese substituted cobalt ferrite, were synthesized using sol-gel derived spin-coating techniques. The films were characterized using x-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy techniques for the analysis of structural, morphological and vibrational band transition properties, which confirm the spinel phase formation of the films. The magnetic force microscopy (MFM) technique was used to observe the magnetic domain structure present in the synthesized films. Further, the films were subjected to an external DC magnetic field of 2 kG to orient the magnetic domains and analyzed using an ex situ MFM technique.