The innovation engine for new materials

Alex Peek

Alex Peek, Physics, UCSB

Major: 

Physics

University: 

University of California Santa Barbara

Mentor(s): 

Andrew Pebley

Faculty Sponsor(s): 

Mike Gordon

Faculty Sponsor's Department(s): 

Chemical Engineering

Project Title: 

MICROPLASMA DEPOSITION OF BIPHASIC METAL OXIDE THIN FILMS EXHIBITING MAGNETIC EXCHANGE BIAS

Project Description: 

 

Exchange bias materials are critical in modern storage devices including hard drive read heads and magnetic memory cells. We synthesized biphasic metal oxide nanostructures of NiO/NiFe2O4 films using a novel, high-pressure microplasma-based deposition technique. In this study we grew films of varying ratios of Ni to Fe, annealed the as-deposited metal oxide films, and characterized the changes in morphology. SEM and XRD suggest the annealed samples have higher crystalline character. We discuss how the unique growth conditions of the microplasma could affect film morphology and ultimately magnetic properties. We also mention preliminary magnetic hysteresis results.