Epitaxial growth and magnetic characterization of ferromagnetic Co4N thin films on SrTiO3(001) substrates by molecular beam epitaxy

We have attempted to grow single-crystalline Co4N thin films on SrTiO3 (STO)(001) substrates by molecular beam epitaxy by the simultaneous supply of 3N–Co and radio-frequency NH3 plasma. Reflection high-energy electron diffraction and θ–2θ X-ray diffraction patterns confirmed that the epitaxial growth of Co4N films was successfully achieved. X-ray ϕ-scan measurements using Co4N(301) and STO(301) diffractions revealed that the epitaxial relationship between Co4N and STO was a cube-on-cube type. Magnetization versus magnetic field curves measured at room temperature for Co4N epitaxial layers covered with a Au capping layer using a vibrating sample magnetometer showed that Co4N[110] is the axis of easy magnetization.

► Ferromagnetic nitrides have attracted attention because of their large spin polarization. ► Reported the epitaxial growth of Fe4N films by MBE. ► Co4N epitaxial films were realized by MBE for the first time.