The study, published in IEEE Transactions on Magnetics, focuses on the effect of growth temperature on the formation of the ordered L10 crystal structure. Spectroscopic and microscopic evidence correlate the stoichiometry, crystal structure, and microstructure of the films with their magnetostatic properties and their microscopic magnetic structure.
The investigation reveals stoichiometric inhomogeneities in the films, which are composed of multiple crystal phases. The formation of the L10 MnGa crystal structure is enhanced with increasing deposition temperature. This phenomenon directly correlates with the emergence of magnetic domains and a significant increase in magnetic coercivity.
By elucidating the interplay between stoichiometry, crystal structure, microstructure, and the magnetic properties of MnGa films deposited onto Si/SiO2, rather than monocrystalline substrates, this work contributes to the understanding of MnGa growth on amorphous substrates.
