Photoinduced features of Y3Fe5 O12 nanocrystalline films

We have studied the photoinduced effects in the nanocrystallized Y3Fe5O12 films deposited on the Gd3Ga5O12 <1 1 1> substrates. We have found for the first time substantial changes of the birefringence, two-photon absorption and circularly polarized absorption in different regimes of treatment of the nanocrystallized films. The explanations of the observed phenomena are suggested. The absorption spectra were modeled by the DFT based calculations of the electronic structure and density of states, which have revealed the well-pronounced differences between the densities of states of the tetra- and octahedrally coordinated iron ions. In addition, the crystal field calculations of the Fe3+ energy levels at the octahedral and tetrahedral positions have been performed.

► Drastic changes of the absorption in the Y3Fe5O12 nanocrystallite films were established.
► Nanoparticle's sizes play crucial role.
► Morphology changes were found.