Structure and magnetic properties of Co–CeO2 thin films deposited by PLD on Al2O3 (0 0 0 1) substrates

Co–CeO2 films with the stoichiometry of Co0.03Ce0.97CeO2−δ were deposited by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) method on Al2O3 (0 0 0 1) substrate, the structural, magnetic, and magneto-optical properties were investigated. The films show a ceria single phase with (1 1 1) preferred orientation. Magnetic measurements confirm the ferromagnetism at room temperature, which is anisotropic with an out-of-plane magnetization easy axis. Magneto-optical measurements exhibit a giant Faraday rotation of 4800 deg/cm in the direction perpendicular to the film plane