Structural and Magnetic Properties of Fe and Au Ion-Implanted Al2O3 Single Crystals

Au ion implantation in Fe ion-implanted Al2O3 (Fe/Al2O3) has been performed in order to tailor the structural, magnetic and optical properties of Fe granules in Al2O3 matrix. After Au ion implantation, Rutherford backscattering (RBS) measurements indicate the decrease and the redistribution of retained Fe atoms with the inclusion of Au atoms, and the patterns of X-ray diffraction (XRD) show the formation of Au granules in the Fe/Al2O3. Besides, the magnetization curves of the Fe/Al2O3 after Au ion implantation show still the superparamagnetic characteristics and the decrease of saturation magnetization, and the optical absorption measurements indicate the formation of Au granules in the Fe/Al2O3 in accordance with the XRD result. In addition, we investigated a behavior of Fe granules in Al2O3 matrix by conversion electron Mossbauer spectroscopy (CEMS), which indicates the decrease of superparamagnetic state as a function of Au ion dose. As a result, it is suggested that Au ion implantation has potentialities to tailor the physical properties of Fe granules in Al2O3 matrix.