Room temperature ferromagnetic and ferroelectric properties of Bi1−xCaxMnO3 thin films

Bi1−xCaxMnO3 (BCMO) thin films with x = 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3 and 0.4 are successfully deposited on the n-type Si (100) substrate at two different temperatures of 400 °C and 800 °C using RF magnetron sputtering. The stoichiometry of the films and oxidation state of the elements have been described by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis. Dielectric measurement depicts the insulating property of BCMO films. Magnetic and ferroelectric studies confirm the significant enhancement in spin orientation as well as electric polarization at room temperature due to incorporation of Ca2+ ions into BiMnO3 films. The BCMO (x = 0.2) film grown at 400 °C shows better magnetization (Msat) and polarization (Ps)with the measured values of 869 emu / cc and 6.6 μC/ cm2 respectively than the values of the other prepared films. Thus the realization of room temperature ferromagnetic and ferroelectric ordering in Ca2+ ions substituted BMO films makes potentially interesting for spintronic device applications.