Microstructure and magnetic properties of Fe/KCoF3 thin films

Abstract A molecular beam epitaxy system was used to deposit a ferro/anitiferromagnet (Fe/KCoF 3 ) structures. Depending on the deposition conditions the fluoride grew either in the single crystal or polycrystalline forms, which was initially confirmed by the RHEED patterns and X-ray studies. The crystalline form of the KCoF 3 significantly affected magnetic properties, in particular exchange bias and magnetocrystalline anisotropy. Extensive transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies have been made in order to reveal more details on the microstructure of the fluoride and of the Fe/KCoF 3 interface.