Room-temperature magnetism and controlled cation distribution in vanadium ferrite thin films

Spinel oxides demonstrate significant technological promise due to the vast array of interrelated physical properties that their unique structure supports. Specifically, the Fe1+xV2-xO4 spinel system garners extensive interest due to the presence of orbitally ordered states and multiferroism. This study focuses on the elaboration of high-quality Fe2VO4 (x = 1) thin films on MgO substrates via pulsed laser deposition. Structural analyses confirm the epitaxial growth of the films, their high crystallinity and fully strained nature. The cationic distribution and stoichiometry were investigated using Resonant Elastic X-ray Scattering experiments, in conjunction with comprehensive characterization of the films' physical and electrical properties. The films exhibit room-temperature magnetism, with a magnetization consistent with the (Fe3+)Td[Fe2+V3+2]OhO4 inverse spinel structure unveiled by anomalous diffraction. This work represents the inaugural successful deposition of Fe2VO4 thin films, thereby expanding the family of spinel vanadium oxide thin films with a new member that demonstrates room-temperature magnetic properties.