Giant planar Hall effect in epitaxial Fe3O4 thin films and its temperature dependence

Fernández-Pacheco, A. , De Teresa, J.M., Orna, J., Morellon, L., Algarabel, P.A., Pardo, J.A., Ibarra, M.R., Magen, C. and Snoeck, E. (2008) Giant planar Hall effect in epitaxial Fe3O4 thin films and its temperature dependence. Physical Review B, 78(21), 212402. (doi: 10.1103/PhysRevB.78.212402)

Abstract

We have investigated the giant planar Hall effect ( ρ x y ) in epitaxial thin films of Fe 3 O 4 grown on MgO (001) substrates with thickness ranging from 5 to 150 nm. A record value at room temperature of ∣ ∣ ρ x y ∣ ∣ ≈ 60   μ Ω   cm was obtained for the 5-nm-thick film. Below room temperature, ∣ ∣ ρ x y ∣ ∣ shows a huge enhancement when crossing the Verwey transition, reaching the value of 16   m Ω   cm at T = 73   K for the 20-nm-thick film. This work demonstrates the potentiality of the planar Hall effect in magnetite thin films for studies of magnetization processes as well as for sensitive low-field detection. The influence of the superparamagnetic tendency for the thinnest films is highlighted. The results are also discussed in the context of fundamental aspects of Fe 3 O 4 below the Verwey transition.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Fernandez-Pacheco, Dr Amalio
• Authors: Fernández-Pacheco, A., De Teresa, J.M., Orna, J., Morellon, L., Algarabel, P.A., Pardo, J.A., Ibarra, M.R., Magen, C., and Snoeck, E.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy
• Journal Name: Physical Review B
• Publisher: American Physical Society
• ISSN: 1098-0121
• ISSN (Online): 1550-235X
• Published Online: 02 December 2008