Magnetite phase due to energetic argon ion irradiation from a dense plasma focus on hematite thin film

Highly energetic pulsed argon ions that are generated during the focus phase of a dense plasma focus (DPF) device, are used for the first time to achieve a complete phase of magnetite from hematite thin films. The films are exposed to the ions of the DPF device axially above the anode at various distances. XRD spectra of the ion irradiated films show the change from alpha-Fe2O3 to Fe3O4 phase in the film which is irradiated at a particular distance from the anode. SEM micrographs of Fe3O4 films indicate the presence of columnar grains of the order of 50 to 90 nm. The magnetization curves confirm the change from non-magnetic alpha-Fe2O3 to magnetic Fe3O3 phase. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.