Optical, morphological and thermal behaviour of NdFeB magnetic thin films grown by radiofrequency plasma-assisted pulsed laser deposition

•We compared the growth of NdFeB thin films, by PLD and RF-PLD (in nitrogen, or argon).•Thermal analysis was performed in order to investigate its behaviour and stability.•Magnetic, optical, and morphological properties of the films are discussed.

NdFeB thin films, showing a notable out-of-plane c-axis texture, were prepared by radiofrequency plasma-assisted pulsed laser deposition technique. Their optical, morphological and magnetic properties were investigated. Thermal analysis was performed in order to evaluate the thermal behaviour and stability, in air, and in nitrogen dynamic atmospheres. The effects of deposition time, nitrogen and argon plasma use, and substrate temperature, are discussed.