Optical and magnetic properties of europium sulphide thin films grown by pulsed laser deposition

Europium sulphide films grown on sapphire and silicon substrates by pulsed laser deposition have been studied using structural, optical and magnetic characterisation techniques. The films are stoichiometric and highly textured with [100] normal to the substrate. Ellipsometry measurements show the expected absorption features due to 4f→5d transitions. The films order ferromagnetically with a Curie temperature, TC = 18.5 K, and a saturation magnetic moment of 6.5 μB per Eu atom.