Study of SHI-induced ion beam mixing in Y3+: YIG employing X-ray diffraction and Mössbauer spectroscopy.

The consequences of swift heavy ion (SHI) irradiation (Li3 + , 50 MeV, fluence = 5 × 1013 ions/cm2) on the structural and microscopic magnetic properties of Y3 + -substituted yttrium iron garnet (Y3 + x Fe5 − x O12, x = 0.0, 0.2 and 0.4) have been studied at 300 K. It is found that an additional YFeO3-phase observed along with bcc garnet phase, is completely removed for x = 0.2 composition while its percentage formation considerably reduces for x = 0.4 composition after irradiation. Similar effect has been observed for specimens sintered at 1,500°C. The SHI-induced ion beam mixing has been revealed through X-ray diffraction and Mössbauer spectroscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]