Growth, characterisation and probing the novel magnetic character of rare earth nitride (HoN, DyN & DyₓHoₓ-1N) thin films

The rare earth nitride (REN) series area has attracted considerable research interest because of the coexistence of semiconducting and ferromagnetic properties. A major goal of this research has been to improve understanding of these materials. Thus, an in-depth study on the growth of holmium nitride (HoN) thin films is presented. The other major goal of this research has been to understand the magnetic structure of REN thin films. HoN thin films were grown via ion-assisted deposition (IAD). A systematic study was performed investigating the effect substrate temperature, nitrogen partial pressure, nitrogen ionisation state, deposition rate and sample thickness have on the sample quality.