EUROPIUM-YTTRIUM IRON-GALLIUM GARNET FILMS GROWN BY LIQUID PHASE EPITAXY ON GADOLINIUM GALLIUM GARNET

Abstract
(Eu,Y)3(Fe,Ga)5012 garnets have desirable magnetic properties for bubble domain applications and can be grown as epitaxial thin films on simple Gd3Ga5012 substrate crystals. These films have the general formula EuRY3−RFe5−xGax012 and are in the composition range of the prototype Eu.5Y2.5Fe4Ga012. Room temperature magnetization can be estimated from the expression 4πM = 1170 − 120.R − 790.x. Uniaxial anisotropy in these films results from biaxial compressive stress induced by a lattice mismatch with the GGG substrates (ao = 12.384 Å) . Lattice parameters for films grown from Pb0‐B203 fluxed melts by the LPE method are ao = 12.376 + 0.041·R − 0.015·x + 0.013·p, where p = wt.% Pb incorporated into the films. The effects of growth parameters on Ga content and Pb incorporation in these films are discussed. The Ga‐ and Pb‐contents of films are critical factors in determining magnetization and anisotropy, respectively.