Effects of Nd:YAG laser irradiation on structural and magnetic properties of Li0.5Fe2.5O4

In the present paper we report our results on the effect of Nd:YAG laser irradiation on the structural and magnetic properties of Li0.5Fe2.5O4 spinel ferrite prepared by solid-state reaction technique. X-ray diffraction analysis was carried out to confirm the formation of the single phase cubic spinel structure. The lattice constant calculated from X-ray diffraction data (XRD) goes on increasing with non irradiated phase to exceeding higher doses of irradiation. The distribution of the substituted ions over the different lattice sites is determined from XRD and infrared spectra. The damage structure and morphological investigations were carried out by using scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy techniques. It has been observed from our data on magnetic properties that laser irradiation severely affects the magnetization. From the magnetization measurements it has been observed that the saturation magnetization decreases with increase in the laser dose rate. The observed reduction in the saturation magnetization after irradiation is understood on the basis of the partial formation of paramagnetic centers and rearrangement of cations in the lattice.