Ferromagnetic, transparent and conducting ITO-Fe-cluster composite films

Fe clusters are prepared by plasma-gas-condensation while the ITO films are generated by a helicon-sputtering system in a deposition chamber. The structure and morphology of the Fe-ITO-cluster composite films are measured by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy; its optical transmittance, electrical resistivity, and magnetic properties by spectrophotometer, conventional dc four-probe and SQUID magnetometer measurements, respectively. The results show that it is possible to produce a film material with high optical transmittance, low resistivity and ferromagnetism at room temperature by embedding Fe clusters into ITO matrix.