Self-organized single crystal mixed magnetite/cobalt ferrite films grown by infrared pulsed-laser deposition

Highlights: • Infrared pulsed deposition is used to grow single crystal mixed magnetite-cobalt ferrite films. • Distinct topography with two mound types on the surface of the film. • Suggested origin of segregation into two phases is oxygen deficiency during growth. • Mössbauer is required to quantify the two components. - Abstract: We have grown mixed magnetite/cobalt ferrite epitaxial films on SrTiO₃ by infrared pulsed-laser deposition. Diffraction experiments indicate epitaxial growth with a relaxed lattice spacing. The films are flat with two distinct island types: nanometric rectangular mounds in two perpendicular orientations, and larger square islands, attributed to the two main components of the film as determined by Mössbauer spectroscopy. The origin of the segregation is suggested to be the oxygen-deficiency during growth.