Nanostructured Iron-Doped Indium Tin Oxide Films: Synthesis and Characterization

Multifunctional, Fe-doped indium tin oxide (ITO) nanostructured films were grown by pulsed laser deposition on sapphire substrates. The films showed low resistivity and n-type conductivity with a carrier density as high as 3 × 10
²¹
cm
^-3
. A magnetic moment at room temperature larger than those of any iron oxides was measured in films with Fe doping as low as 2%. We ascribe it to the formation of bound polarons. A strong green photoemission at room temperature was observed, which we ascribe to quantum confinement effect. The coexistence of ferromagnetism and luminescence in the visible range makes our films of potential for magneto-optoelectronic applications.