Generation of superparamagnetism in metallic α-iron by swift heavy ion irradiation

57Fe conversion electron Mössbauer spectroscopy was used to study the effect of swift heavy ion irradiation on electrochemically deposited metallic pure α-iron. We succeeded in preparing superparamagnetic iron by irradiating the electrochemically prepared thin α-iron films using 247 MeV Kr ions with a fluence of 1×1013 ion cm−2 which converted 50% of crystalline α-iron into amorphous and superparamagnetic phases, the latter being >20%. The results are discussed in terms of the thermal spike model for the formation of the amorphous phase which could be essential for the formation of superparamagnetic iron.