Magneto-optical properties of nano-crystalline cubic and tetragonal copper ferrite thin films

Abstract

Copper ferrite, CuFe2O4, films can be stabilized in cubic or tetragonal phases depending on the deposition conditions and post-deposition heat treatment. The difference is explained by redistribution of cations over particular crystal sites and Jahn-Teller distortion of the spinel lattice. Comparative magneto-optical study of the copper ferrite thin films with cubic and tetragonal symmetry is presented. It is shown that the Faraday rotation and magnetic circular dichroism spectra represent a sensitive tool for examination of cation distribution of magnetic Cu2+ and Fe3+ ions in tetrahedral and octahedral crystal sites of the spinel lattice.