Effect of oxygen pressure on the structural, optical and magnetic properties of pulsed laser ablated ZnCoO thin films

► We grew cobalt doped ZnO thin films under different oxygen pressure by pulsed laser deposition. ► We studied the influence of oxygen pressure on structural, optical and magnetic properties of Co-doped ZnO thin films. ► The films show ferromagnetism at room temperature. ► The experimental results show that the magnetic behavior is directly related to the presence of intrinsic defects. ► By changing oxygen pressure to control the amount of Zn vacancies, zinc interstitials and oxygen vacancies, ferromagnetism can be tuned in the films has been demonstrated.