Structure and magnetism in ultrathin iron oxides characterized by low energy electron microscopy

J Phys Condens Matter. 2009 Aug 5;21(31):314011. doi: 10.1088/0953-8984/21/31/314011. Epub 2009 Jul 7.

Abstract

We have grown epitaxial films a few atomic layers thick of iron oxides on ruthenium. We characterize the growth by low energy electron microscopy. Using selected-area diffraction and intensity-versus-voltage spectroscopy, we detect two distinct phases which are assigned as wüstite and magnetite. Spin-polarized low energy electron microscopy reveals magnetic domain patterns in the magnetite phase at room temperature.