Growth of uniform cobalt nano magnetic dots on titanum dioxide surface

Authors

En Cai, Florida International University

Document Type

Thesis

Degree

Master of Science (MS)

Major/Program

Physics

First Advisor's Name

Jianch Zhang

First Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Chair

Second Advisor's Name

Wenzhi Li

Third Advisor's Name

Yesim Darici

Fourth Advisor's Name

Kevin E. O'Shea

Fifth Advisor's Name

Xuewen Wang

Date of Defense

5-19-2008

Abstract

This research investigated the growth of cobalt magnetic nanodots on the rutile TiO₂ (110) surface. Well ordered TiO₂ (110) surface was prepared in the Ultra High Vacuum (UHV) via Ar+ sputtering and annealing. Co was deposited in-situ by Molecular Beam Epitaxy (MBE). Characterization of the growth was performed in-situ by a Variable Temperature Scanning Tunneling Microscope (VT-STM). The TiO₂ (110) surface was proven to promote the Volmer-Weber growth of Co nanodots. The cobalt atoms formed small clusters at the stage of initial growth. As the coverage increased, the size and density of clusters increased. It was discovered that there existed a stable dot size, especially after a delicate post-annealing. Statistical analysis showed the stable size of nanodots was 4.0 ± 0.5 nm. The existence of the stable dot size was supported theoretically based on jellium model. An optimal set of fabrication parameters was established for the uniform magnetic nanodot growth.

Identifier

FI14052528

Comments

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Recommended Citation

Cai, En, "Growth of uniform cobalt nano magnetic dots on titanum dioxide surface" (2008). FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 1964.
https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/1964